Our Thoughts...

We are what we think.
All that we are arises with our thoughts.
With our thoughts, we create the world.

-The Buddha 

One of the most important lessons that I have learned, over the last couple years, is that my thoughts become my reality. Simply put, if I believe I will fail, I will. If I believe I will succeed, I will. Both of these are tested, tried, and proven theories. Granted, I have vastly more experience with failing... but, that is just because, for most of my life, I expected to fail. I never thought I was worthy of success, or happiness. Because I believed it, on a visceral level, it was true.

A couple years ago... about the same time I started working towards my AA, with a couple years left to do, I picked up a book called "Change Your Thinking, Change Your life", By Brian Tracy. I liked the sound of the title, so I decided to give it the once over. Since that day, the principles I learned in that book have been the foundation of the revolution that has been occurring within my spirit and mind. 

It is mind boggling, to me, that a concept so simple and yet so powerful was lying right underneath my nose all along. How could it be so simple? And yet it is... I don't mean to say that, one day, I just changed the way I thought about everything and lived happily ever after... It was a gradual evolution... and one that is still in process. I still battle with self doubt, but now I pretty much have an auto-mechanism that kicks in and reminds me that I have to believe my goals and tasks will be accomplished, if I want that to become a reality. Immediately, I visualize what i want, as if it already exists. The results have been extremely tangible and nothing short of amazing. Ever since I turned the corner and started really knowing that I was a good person and deserved success, things have almost magically been falling into place. I go forward with confidence and a strong belief that what I want, will be; I visualize it as already being reality... and the right thing just seems to happen, at the right time. I meet the right person, who has the knowledge I am seeking. I stumble upon solutions to problems in ways I had not anticipated.

Of course, there is a lot of hard work and dedication involved. It's pretty hard to convince yourself that things are going to work out, when you just sit on your ass and do nothing (although there are people that seem to somehow make that work). It is a symbiotic relationship, for me. My hard work gives me a sense of self worth, my sense of self worth allows me to believe I deserve (and am capable of) success. My belief seems to empower my ability to achieve my goals, which gives me the drive to keep working hard. It all comes around, full circle.

I strongly encourage any of you, who are seeking to transform your lives, to give some serious thought to how you view yourself and what your expectations are, on a truly visceral level. Do your beliefs and expectations correlate with your experiences? I'm willing to bet that, for better, or worse, they do.

Volume Two

Volume One

Smokin Joe's Monthly Newsletter

Volume 1, Dec. 2013

 

Greetings and salutations, my brothers:

You probably thought I had forgotten about you... I said I would write and I'm a man of my word. This first installment is just going to be a brief note, just to let you guys know that I haven't forgotten about you and that I am doing well.

Funny how we think that getting out is somehow going to magically make all our problems go away and life is instantly going to be awesome... Freedom kicks ass, don't get me wrong, but the challenges can be more than a bit overwhelming.  I'm just trying to make a little progress each day and enjoy the little things.

Showering by myself is novel. The only pecker I get to check is my own and you all know how disappointing that is. Using a descent razor kicks ass. I'm done in about 2 minutes, without cutting myself:) Needless to say, I've been eating a lot of meet; steaks, chicken, shrimp, and lots of pork (bacon, chops, roast). Mmmmmm, bacon. It's nice to eat what I want, when I want. A nice warm bed, a nice soft pillow, a nice warm, soft woman... yes, freedom is nice. Oh yeah, and let's not forget NFL Red Zone and video games :) and, oh yeah, chew.

For those of you who have been down for a bit... you won't believe how much shit has changed, out here. You have seen the adds on TV, hopefully you have taken some computer classes, but even that won't really prepare you for the Brave New World, out here. Society has become a Matrix, for real. No one uses paper for anything anymore. EVERYTHING is mobile/touch screen/techno/w.w.w./connected... It's a bit overwhelming, for an old fart, like me... but, I'm getting it figured out. The possibilities are amazing. It's so easy to find/create/do anything. It's all at your fingertips. Of course, everyone also knows where you are and what you are doing, too... I have nothing to hide though, for the first time in my life. I plan on keeping it that way.

The Oxford house I'm at is cool. It's a nice, big house with huge flat screens in every room. We have a weight set up outside, on the back porch. It's a little chilly, but I've been getting my workouts in. Taking creatine, testosterone supplements, and protein powder. I've already experienced increased strength and endurance. I'll send you guys some pics next time. When I get some more cash, I'm gonna join Gold's Gym. It's right down the street.

I am officially registered for spring quarter at WSU Tri-Cities. I'm taking classes in beginning animation/cgi and video/sound technology. I'm also taking a writing class, “technology and the new rhetoric” and an anthropology class, "speech, thought, and culture". I'm pretty stoked.

The PPEP has been there for me, every step of the way. They got me a bus pass, sent me a voucher for some new clothes, they paid my first installment on my defaulted loans, and they are paying for my first semester's tuition, until I get the loans out of default. They have been great with advice and support concerning my current CPS troubles, as well. I fully encourage any of you, who are serious about continuing your education and turning your lives around to call these people and establish a relationship with them, while you are down. If you are just trying to get some free shit and some come up money though, you probably want to look elsewhere. Remember, they are all convicts... you are not going to pull the wool over their eyes... but, they will help you if you are truly doing everything you can to help yourself.

After I get my shit together, I will be starting my own Non-Profit. I talked to some of you about that. I am serious about getting that together. It is going to be a minute, until I can get all the pieces in place. I will keep you posted.

I haven't got a job, yet. I've got some promising leads. Hopefully, I get something dialed in soon. I'm working on getting a tattoo gun, too.

Like I said, life isn't easy out here. The challenges I face frustrating and overwhelming. I just do my best to get a little bit accomplished every day; to make the right choices (rather than the easy ones), based on the values and ethics I have decided to live by. I am striving to live in a manner that will make my ancestors proud.

I encourage you all to stay strong and remain true to yourselves. Ask yourselves, "what do I want from life?", and then ask yourselves "am I doing everything in my power to work towards that goal?". Act, don't react.  Help and encourage each other; united we are strong.

I promise that the next installment will be more informative and colorful. I'll be a little more settled in and have some more experiences to share. I'll be thinking about you guys, during Yule. I would love to hear back from you guys and hear how you are doing. If there is anything I can do for you, let me know. If anyone else wants to get on the mailing list, let me know. Also, if you guys have any suggestions for topics you would like to hear about, feel free to submit suggestions.

Your friend,

Joseph Gary Jensen,

Man Of Action

Chapter 1 of my new life...


A new chance at life...  I am so blessed to have this opportunity to re-define myself and live a life worthy of remembrance. The vast majority of my friends that have traveled the same road I did have either died, or are spending the rest of their lives in prison. This blog will not be about my past, but about the current path I am on; to gain an education, to build a career, and to find a new way of living. In order to understand the relevance of my current journey, you must first understand a bit about where I am coming from.


Imagine life in a 9x12 cell. The concrete walls pressing down on you, suffocating your will... a constant reminder of your failure as a human being. The only time you are allowed to leave your cell is when the doors slide open and you are told what to do and when to do it. Once these doors open, you must constantly be on your guard, looking over your shoulder, always ready for the imminent threat of violence. This is how I have spent the vast majority of my adult life. I was recently released from a five-year sentence; my third time in prison. My whole life has been a struggle. During the short intervals of “freedom” in between prison sentences, I have battled with depression, anxiety, addiction, and homelessness. I never believed that I deserved, or was capable of success and happiness. A couple of years ago I came to a turning point in my life. I had a five-year-old son out there that needed his father. I knew that if I was ever going to have a chance at a successful life, I was going to have to take charge of my life and start making some better choices. I began to throw myself wholeheartedly into the rehabilitation process.

Durring my last prison sentence, I completed my Associates degree . I also completed chemical dependency treatment, parenting classes, and several behavior modification classes. I also completed a one-year graphic design certificate. For me, art was always a way to escape from my troubles. Only recently have I discovered that I could actually make a career out of it. Along the road to achieving my graphic design certificate, I was introduced to the intriguing possibility of becoming a graphic designer. 

With a year left on my prison sentence, I applied for, and received a scholarship from The Post-Prison Education Program. I applied to, and was accepted by WSU Tri-Cities, where I am currently enrolled and working towards a degree in Digital Technology and Culture. I plan on achieving a double Bachelor's degree in DTC and Fine Arts, then continuing on to a Master's of Fine Art. From there, I plan to open my own design company. By owning my own company, I can avoid the unnecessary complications that potential employers may have with my felony record.


Along the path towards achieving higher education, I have learned that education does not just teach you how to earn a living, it teaches you how to live. After spending a lifetime running away from my problems, I now view the challenges and problems I face as an opportunity for growth and accomplishment.


In order to, in some small way, repay the kindness and help I have received,  I wish to help others of a similar background find a new way of life. One of the first steps I have taken towards this end is to write a monthly newsletter, which is sent to prisoners currently engaged in seeking to transform their lives through the power of post-secondary education. It chronicles my experiences transitioning back into society and specifically, my experiences as a student at WSU Tri-Cities. By providing a history of my struggles and triumphs, I hope to give insight, perspective, and advice to others planning on taking a similar path. 


This Blog will be a supplement to the monthly newsletter. My hope is that other ex-convicts transitioning back into society can view this blog and know that they are not alone in their struggles. Perhaps they can learn from my mistakes and avoid some of the same pitfalls I experienced and benefit from a record of what I found helpful and useful in my own journey.


I was released from the Washington State Penitentiary on November 24th, 2014. What follows is the first installment of "Smokin Joe's Monthly Newsletter", mailed out in the beginning of January 2014, followed by the second installment, mailed out at the end of February, 2014. My goal is to, first of all, become more punctual in the production and distribution of this newsletter, and second of all, to grow and progress in using the graphic design skills I am learning in school. 


By reading this blog, you should be able to  view my progress as an artist, designer, writer, student, and citizen.