Ever heard of Landmark Forum? I did and, at first, it does not make any sense. After having been released from prison due to felony charges done in my youth, I was trying to simply sulk and stay on the side for fear of being rejected all over again. The friends I know have long established their lives by having a family of their own and had carved a niche in society. I, on the other hand, had languished in jail for nine years because of my selfish folly. My mother kept insisting on enrolling me to a Landmark Education program. You know how moms can be persistent so I caved in after a thousandth time of “nagging” about how touching the experiences and how useful it is for me.
I decided to join after being threatened out of the house and, believe me you would not want to cross my Mom. My problem then was how to escape from that three-day one-night boring session of crybabies. Fidgety and annoyed, I sat at the farthest corner of the room. I was able to survive the whole morning and cannot wait for the afternoon to start and be done with it. I was already thinking of going for that exit when this fine young lady walked off the podium and share her story. I was amazed at how similar our stories and how jaded we both are. I was amazed with her courage to show the world what she was and how she had realized that she, too, can make a difference amidst that. The next thing I know, I was on my feet and sharing about my life. Thereafter, all the regrets and anger slip past through my heart. A new door opened for me and it made me feel lighter than ever. Five years after that encounter and with four more courses enrolled with Landmark Education, I am currently working as a counselor in a juvenile delinquent camp to help carry the youth back on track. Indeed, there is limit to what you can become if you put your heart to it.