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In his well-known poem “If,” Rudyard Kipling states: “If you can wait and not be tired by waiting.…” I think he had the right of it, but what are we waiting for? It seems to me that as children we learn the word wait shortly after we learn the word no. We are told to “wait until after dinner,” to “wait until you’re older,” and to “wait until your father gets home.”

I don’t like waiting. Waiting is a trap, a clear and present danger, when it becomes all that we do. When all we do is wait, we lose our focus on what’s important. We miss out on opportunities and there’s a chance that we’ll lose our friends, loved ones and our freedom. We miss out on life, love and happiness.

I have been incarcerated for 16 years, and have endeavored to live my life according to axioms contained within Kipling’s poem “If,” including the following: “If you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds’ worth of distance run….”

I have filled every minute. I took off running and I haven’t looked back. I have earned a college degree, donated my time and talent, created works of art, made friends, and committed random acts of kindness. I changed and began to develop myself into the man I wish to become.

What are you waiting for? I have decided not to wait. I will not wait for the future to saunter up and greet me. I will not wait for my hopes, dreams and prayers to fall into my lap. I will rise up each morning and praise the glory of the day. I shall stride forward with my head held high and with love in my heart. I shall give up my doubts and fears unto the hand of God. And with every breath and step I take I will live and make the world a better place.

by Mark V., CLF prisoner member