I Don’t Do

by Juan Moreno Haines, San Quentin, CA

I recently read something that said the average person lives 900 months. Then, I took my age 64, and multiplied it by twelve. 768. Wow. I have 132 months? Now, imagine how I might feel, having spent the last 321 months in prison. It’ll really ground you into reality. It made me think deeply about this prompt. 

Today, I don’t do things that I know in my heart is wrong or would bring shame upon me. I don’t have time for that. You may have way more time on this planet than I do. All I have to say is think about what you want to do. Don’t look back with regret, look back with a smile. Smiles come from the people in your life who will hold you, hug you, love you and let you be you. 

Take it from an OG. Don’t look back at your own life and shake your head. Even if you do here’s the fact. The past can’t be changed, but the future hasn’t happened. You can plan your actions, actions that are rewarding. In the end, be you. Be the best you that you can be. Don’t do things that aren’t you. 

Go by the Juan saying: “All you can do is all you can do, but all you can do is enough. Only you know in your heart, what is enough.”