The Art of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is not one of the most easy things to do or expect someone else to do. Our past has a way of reminding us of the mess we made, it seems that people love to remember the bad things and not the good things about us. I look at forgiveness as a way to help me continue to build and strengthen myself. I look at forgiveness as a way of releasing unnecessary anger, hate, and rage which can only hold me back from growing into a better person. When people have a problem forgiving you don't get discourage, don't give them the comfort of seeing you respond in a negative manner. What they don't realize is that in order for you to approach them you had to go through the same process they now need to forgive you. I realize that the ones who cry "Lord,Lord" are simply fooling themselves. Why expect God to forgive you for your mistakes if you can't forgive your neighbor.

The Emancipation of me

My road has been tough as you already know, I set out to find myself, find me under all the mess I've made. My process had to start with a new creation, a new beginning of me.I needed a make over, one that would show my progress as well as remember the mistakes that I made to cause such a need for change. I wanted to do it without drugs, alcohol,women, or any other vise that had derailed me and continued to distract me from this emancipation. It's been four years sense I've started my journey, this process of change. I went from a street thug,drug dealing,drug using,womenizing jerk with a super man ego to a deminished, humbled servant and friend on a crusade to help those in distress. I now walk proud because of my assistants as well as my accomplishments.I went from an Inmate with prison green and brown to the Student Government President,I traded in my bags of cocaine for a National Coca cola Scholarship,The National Deans List,and various other awards to be used as my weapons for success.You can know longer refer to me as an inmate but Who's Who of American College Students.I started this journey with only one thing in mind "The Emancipation Of Me"

Starting the change

We live our lives daily like there is no tommorrow, at some point we get lost in all the chaos and excitement. When we finally realize what has happened to us, it always seems to be too late. We find ourselves in a major struggle to regain who we are and what we once stood for; our integrity and our pride is on the line. What do we do? At what point do we decide to change the behavior which is destroying our lives? The topic is out there to be discussed, what do you think?

This is me . . .

Ron Eddings' life is a story of tremendous struggle, tragedy, perserverance, self-discovery and triumph. His life spans one of the most tumultuous, contentious periods in American history and sheds insight on a number of larger social, cultural, and racial issues. Born in Asheville, North Carolina, Ron developed into a star athlete in the shadows of poverty, discrimination and domestic abuse. He was awarded a baseball scholarship to Howard University, but subsequently lost it due to a knee injury. After returning to Asheville, his life took a number of twists and turns that eventually led to his involvement in drug and gang activity. After spending eight and a half years in and out of some of the roughest prisons in North Carolina, Ron decided that he had to change his life, and recover the warm, intelligent, courageous person he had left behind along the way. After being released from prison, Ron began telling his story in a number of venues including churches, schools, prisons, and social events. Currently, Ron is the Student Government Association President at Catawba Valley Community College, has garnered a number of academic and service awards, and works with a single-minded and determined passion to reach out to others, to educate them about the dangers of drugs and the horrors of prison life, to encourage them to enthusiastically embrace life's challenges, and to help those who have fallen into despair. Ron derives great pleasure from connecting with his audiences, and uses both incisive straight talk and infectious humor to deliver his message of hope and unity.

More later . . .