A few introductory words from one of our readers:

Sometimes our life path takes an unexpected twist or turn. It is our willingness to accept where we are, what we have at any given moment and transform it that determines whether we create a blessing or a curse for ourselves. Like an alchemist, Tom Brown has taken his circumstances of "iron" and transformed them into Gold.

I have been inspired by his example to examine what really matters in my own life. I struggle to find purpose, expression... waiting for something "out there" to liberate me from my own confines. No matter what the reality of our outer world looks or feels like, it is the limitless inner resources we can draw from to sustain and nourish us. Tom has not only done this for himself, but he has lovingly sent his ripples of insight, wisdom, and integrity out into the universe for others to draw upon. He has given me motivation to rise above my own limitations and reach within to "free" my own spirit.

It is my hope that Tom be granted his physical freedom again very soon. If you feel called to help, let us send our own ripples of love and support back and with God's blessing, they can become a wave that will make this happen. You may do this by writing a letter to the Board of Parole. Some helpful things to include are: your name, age and occupation, how you know Tom, how he has positively affected you, and why you think he should be released (Tom plans to continue writing and teaching).

These letters are important because they show that Tom has learned from his mistake, has used his incarceration time wisely to benefit others (in addition to writing this column, Tom has helped hundreds of inmates earn their GED diplomas as a teacher’s aide and has been a model prisoner) and that he will have a community supporting him once he is released. It is best to keep letters short and concise, but candid.

Please send them to: Arizona Board of Executive Clemency, 1645 West Jefferson, Suite 101, Phoenix, Arizona, 85007, Re: Charles Thomas Brown, ID# 140237, Parole.

Thank You...
An inspired PLW subscriber

Compassionate Connections

THE LONE FIGURE WAITED impatiently in the prison visitation room. Maxine had flown from Dallas to Phoenix in order to visit her long lost brother, Billy. These two were adopted separately 48 years ago and had lost contact with each other. Now, after all these years, Billy was about to walk through the door.

It seemed like an eternity, but at last, the door opened and brother and sister were reunited. All they could do was hug each other and cry. The tears flowed so freely that paper towels were issued.

Billy says, "This was the happiest day of my life. Connecting with Maxine gives me something to live for. I say a prayer every night for her, and when I talk to her on the phone each Sunday evening, I feel like a little boy who is visiting a candy store."

This heart-warming story reminds us of how much letters and visits mean to inmates, those ones who are often forgotten. At mail call, I am haunted by the look on the faces of those who never get a letter.

Our correspondences show us where our intimacies lie. The physical contact of pen to paper, the time set aside to focus thoughts, the folding of the paper into the envelope, licking it closed, addressing it, choosing a stamp, and then the release of the letter to the mailbox - are all acts of tenderness.

Our letters have wings - paper birds that fly back and forth - flocks of ideas and sharings of the heart criss-crossing the country. Once opened, a connection is made. We are not alone in this world. Someone cares.

Fresh Eyes

LOOKING EASTWARD across the desert and beyond the razor wire fence that encircles this prison yard, I can see the first rays of sunlight peeping over the distant mountains. The vivid yellows and oranges seem more brilliant than ever as I practice seeing them with fresh eyes.

Life requires that we see with fresh vision lest it become a hopeless routine. The choice of looking at our world as if it were for the first time and living a life of awe and wonderment or living a hollow, unexamined life devoid of mystery, resides within each of our hearts. Perhaps the saddest failure for us as human beings is when we allow beauty to go unappreciated, when we pass by with our hearts and senses closed.

Consider the child... its seemingly inexhaustible capacity for wonder. Look how deeply involved it gets with the most commonplace objects - shoes, keys, furniture - anything within reach of its soft grasping hands needs to be touched (and, if possible, tasted). Perhaps the child is here for just this purpose: to show us again how to wonder... how to be awed by the familiar.

It's easy to think, "Well, it's just like the last time, so I'll do what I did last time," and then not have to be aware of the new moment. But if we do that, our lives become boring replications of what we have always done before, and we miss the possibilities of surprise, of new and more creative solutions.

When we look at life through fresh eyes, little ordinary things will take on a whole new meaning. We reclaim the richness of being alive.

Let us begin this day by questioning our vision of the world, our worldview of fears and prejudices, and maybe with a little luck, we may see things anew.

© 2001-07, Tom Brown

IF YOU ENJOYED THIS ARTICLE, why not sample the rest of the great articles, series, columns and monthly featured articles in PLW online magazine? WE NOW OFFER a 1-month, 3-month or 6-month subscription, or, for less than the price of one single cup of coffee per month, you get great metaphysical - spiritual - new thought articles, celestial guidance and news every single month for an ENTIRE YEAR …or even two! The longer you sign up for, the cheaper it gets! Your contribution to PLW assists us in covering the monthly costs of labor, running our website server, routinely upgrading hardware and software, and it also funds our latest project, Children of the New Earth Online Magazine. Click here for more...

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Charles "Tom" Brown was a successful investor who did very well in real estate, oil, and the stock market. Friends began asking him to invest for them, too. And he did. Things went well, and more people heard about his abilities and wanted to be included in the investment strategies he had devised. All went well until there was a dramatic change in the market. All that went up turned down, and Tom wanted everyone to still have a profit - his big mistake - as he wanted to be well thought of. Tom was accused of defrauding investors. Although it was shown that he had never diverted any money for himself other than a modest commission, through unbelievable mishandling by an incompetent or dishonest attorney, what should have been a one-year sentence became a 17-year sentence. At the time of judgment, Tom was 62 years of age.

The purpose of Tom's blog is not to dwell on the injustice, but rather, to show the incredible unfoldment of consciousness in a man who has taken this sentence and created a workshop of Soul and Spirit out of it. His words are designed to help us see into life and do better with what we've been given. Tom's Beyond the Wall blog is located at www.Beyondthewall.blogs.com.  If you would like to write to Tom, he appreciates correspondence.  He does not have access to a computer but can be reached via Charles "Tom" Brown, # 140237, ASPC - Lewis, Barchey Blue - D2 - E5, P.O.Box 3200, Buckeye, AZ, 85326.