“May I learn to discern the perfect plan behind all events of my life. May I see that every single thing that happens in my life is a gift from Providence to enable me to grow and flourish and expand. May I bless those who curse or harm me, those who gossip or spread lies about me, as Life’s tools to enable me to grow in integrity, detachment and strength.” PP, https://pierrepradervand.com/365-blessings-to-heal-myself-and-the-world/
For 25 years I have been corresponding with an African American inmate from a very modest background, Roger McGowen. He has spent 35 years in jail (25 of which on death row) for a crime we are absolutely convinced he did not commit. But when you are poor and black in the State of Texas, your chances of obtaining true justice are very slim. This man, who entered prison full of revolt and hatred towards the racist justice system that led him there, then chose instead to use the system that wanted to crush him to transform himself and to grow. Thanks to a book (*) that relates his incredible odyssey, thousands of people throughout the world have been touched, and he has become a true master of life for hundreds, including myself.
He wrote to an acquaintance of mine:
“Sometimes, people who greet me ask ‘how are you today, Roger?’ And I tell them I am blessed that God saw fit to allow me to make right today what I failed to get right yesterday – by opening my eyes. Thus, it all depends on me. Yes, each day is a new opportunity for me, as it is for you, to do better than we did yesterday!
So, I think I am where I am meant to be for the moment. When God thinks this task he has set for me is complete, perhaps nothing will hold me in prison any longer.”
Here is a man who for 35 years, has been the victim of an intolerable injustice, and who chooses to see in his life a path mapped out by Infinite Love for him to grow, and help others in doing the same!
How I see my life path is a choice I make minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day… And this choice will determine the quality of my life.
Complaint or gratitude? The choice is mine.
Pierre Pradervand
*) Messages of Life from Death Row, by Pierre Pradervand, https://www.amazon.com/Messages-Life-Death-Pierre-Pradervand/dp/1439235600
