Category: Piece of the Week

-Zion, San Mateo An important issue in the world is homelessness. Many people in Cali face this problem due to being unable to get accepted by jobs or having family issues as little kids, and not having the resources to help them survive.  You can see more than five hundred people downtown in the city on crack, meth, pills, and other stuff toxic to the body. Even myself and my grandma faced being homeless many times due to her health issues, which stopped her from working and me being unable to provide for her because the jobs I would apply

-DC, Sonoma  When I was locked up in the county jail, it was essential to keep myself busy because you’re locked up in a cell for twenty-three hours a day.  I would start my day at five am sharp and have the “mod workers” pass me some steaming hot water so I can drink my morning cup of coffee and get my day started. Before I drink my coffee, I make sure that I drink two large cups of water and pace my cell back and forth so I can wake up.  I enjoy reading the press and saving the

-JSM, Sonoma  My most cherished possession is life because no matter what there is always something to gain, negative or positive.  There is always something to gain. No matter what you gain it can be a new lesson, skill, new anger cooperating skills, or whatever. Life is always full of amazing, exciting ideas, stuff, and adventures. Just take advantage of it, have no regrets and don’t put life to waste. There is a lot of time, but not a lot of life. 

-IL, San Francisco “When I see people of my likeness, or somebody that I feel connected to doing something great, I feel like I can do it. It gives me some hope and vision.” -Common  I feel like this quote is actually pretty good because I feel like most people feel like they can’t do something but see people that are just like them doing something that they feel they can’t do. It pushes them to do it as well and it makes it easier for them to do so.  For example, I would always tell myself that I never

-SK, San Mateo  The greatest sacrifice that I did was leaving my family for more than two years without my presence and being there for them to help.  My family was always there for me when I needed them and they always loved me. I never realized how much they liked and loved me. Maybe I was focusing on the negative energy they gave me and all the beating my parents gave me. I was mad, so I didn’t listen to anything they said to me and told myself that I make my own choices.  I now realize how much

-Scythe Something about David is that he really wanted the best for me. David was one reason why I didn’t come back here for a long time. I love the way he puts things together and the way he says things.  He was one of my best friends while I was in here. I was always working forward to Wednesdays so I can come to The Beat Within.

-TW, Sacramento  Love is good and bad. When I hear the word love, it means being in love can have many positive physiological effects on our daily lives. It can also be the harbinger of death and despair. Love can make someone kill themselves or other people when they’re in love with him or her, and for their family members. If someone breaks up with her or him, or a family member dies then they kill themselves over it. Love is good because everybody needs love in life. Love looks like the person who is always there for you no

-E, Sonoma  Paying attention to what people say, body language, and their overall behavior — there is much to pay attention to in this world.  Sometimes we’re moving too fast and we really need to slow life down in order to appreciate our blessings and enjoy the moments we have. It’s easy to get caught up in thinking about the future or sulking in the past, but this will only trap you in this mindset.  Regardless if you are incarcerated, you need to pay attention to your life, to others you love, and new people you meet. Find something to

-The Real Trix, Santa Cruz Today, I’ma write about who I turn to when life gets hard. To be completely honest, I don’t feel I have anyone I can truly turn to when shhh gets hard. Don’t get me wrong — if I need a place to crash for a night or two, I got people, or if I need to borrow a couple bucks.  But when it comes to emotional support or moral support or even just someone to vent/talk to, I don’t feel I got no one. I have to say I’ve always been my own rock. At

-JG, Stanislaus My grandparents are my best friends. Growing up I was usually always getting in trouble because they are very strict, but not as much no more. There’s a lot as to why, but now I know they just wanted the best for me.  It’s too late now, but I should have listened to them. I do regret a lot of the things I’ve done, but I wouldn’t take it back because we have a good relationship now. To be honest I’d do it all over again. What I would take back though is some of the things I’ve