OPENING THE DOORS OF YOUR PERSONAL PRISONS I've learned to seek wisdom from people from all walks of life, including men and women in the prison system. Many people look at prisoners asures. The reality is that they failed to do right and were caught. But the fact that they are incarcerated does not mean they are failures at every- thing. It depends on their response to their predicament. They may have limitations on their freedom, but I love it when prisoners determine that the prison system can't own their souls. They have found peace with the actions that landed them behind bars: they've asked for forgiveness for their wrongdoings. and some have even apologized to the victims of their crimes. Many of them have committed to improving themselves spiritually, physically, and mentally. Some have even taken youngsters under their wings and said. Hey, don't mess up your life like I did. If you get a chance to walk out this door stay out and don't come back!' There is a new day breaking for all of us, and if these incarcerated men and women can find light and hope within the confines of prison walls, how dare those of us who can walk around here freely every day not see the light that shines upon us. So many of us are incarcerated in the prisons of our own minds by not looking for our own light. We can easily get caught behind the bars of a dead-end job. a lifeless marriage, or a hopeless financial situation. We have to get up every single day and make the choice to focus on the positive. If we choose to focus on the negative. we're not walking toward our light. If we look at our background. our social status, and every mishap that ever happened to us as tragic, we're missing out on the light within that situation Look, here's a real light: If you are still waking up every day, it's because God has a greater plan for you and it's not yet completed. Every day is an opportunity to see your light as a gift. We all have opportunities that are presented to us on a daily basis. These opportunities show up in the people we meet, the invitations we receive, or the information shared with us. Our response to these choices can determine the quality of our lives.