Monday, January 23, 2017

Today was a highly anticipated day for most of the Kings of Spring ‘17, as we have studied our brains to a pulp. We have spent day and night quizzing ourselves and one another as we prepare to ace the three tests we were to be presented with. The results of the test were met with joy and grief: joy for those who did remarkably well, and grief for those who didn’t do so well. But what was uplifting was seeing those who did well help those who struggled.

An overwhelming amount of homework was assigned today to those who failed to pass the test, and for a majority of the class it put into perspective how proper preparation and time management can save us a myriad of trouble later on down the road.

It is well known that everyone in the class is a man. With that being said, it is time for us to rise up and act like men at all times. The games must cease, the excuses must cease, and the whining must cease. For far too long we have failed ourselves and our family members because of a lack of conviction. Authentic men do not make excuses – it is not tolerated in PEP and it certainly is not tolerated in society. Kings wear many faces, but one face that a king does not wear is one of pity. Things are getting difficult for us as a class, so let’s take a stand and continue to fight valiantly as Kings!

Christopher V.
a.k.a. Ernest goes to PEP

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Ah, no class today and it kind of seems like we have a day off. Oh wait, what about anger management, grace-based parenting, and computer lab? That is when reality sets in and reminds us that we are here to work.
Spring ‘17 is happy to report that there are no days off. Today we have to study for tests, gather research for our business plans and complete various other writing assignments. So when the door opened at 7 a.m. we stormed out of our cells with determination that only Spring ‘17 can muster.

Thankfully we have a great staff and support team here that really cares, because working as a team will prepare us for working with others in the future. Just because we aren’t in the classroom on Tuesday doesn’t mean that Spring ‘17 didn’t go to work. It means we schooled ourselves, sort of a self-check if you will. Everyone needs a day off, right? Well that’s true, but for us, we are working overtime.

Jeremy H.
a.k.a. Bobble Head

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

A lot of brothers in our class have taken college courses at some point in their lives, either in free society or while incarcerated. Many of us agree that the information and course work that we are obtaining from Bert S. (a.k.a. Chocolate Truffles) is second to none. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to engage in dialogue with so many successful businessmen and women, a rare opportunity that oftentimes isn’t available even in top tier universities and college campuses.

My brothers and I have been putting much time and effort into completing our business brochures, and it has certainly been interesting. But with all the guidance and mentoring we receive from our servant-leaders and staff, we are progressing.

One of the servant-leaders told me something that was quite profound yesterday when he said, “You dissect an elephant one piece at a time.” That is exactly what we are doing with our business plans. It’s going to be wonderful to see the end results.

Donald M.
a.k.a. Jerome in the House

Thursday, January 26, 2017

Today was very informative in establishing our brand identity. PEP gives us all many tools to use, helping us to determine and decide what image we will select and display to our future customers.

Anthony R. (a.k.a. Pedro) was very helpful in describing how logos can elicit a positive response from your target customers. Who knew that symbols and certain colors could have a psychological effect on people? To the extent that they feel comfortable purchasing your product and trying out your service, that was very good to know.

We were honored to participate in the ceremonial pray out of our very own Tanner K. (a.k.a. Pixie Stick). It is always a great opportunity to remind a brother of all that he meant to you, and let him know that you appreciate the guidance he has given along the journey. From the Kings of Spring ‘17, Tanner you will certainly be missed brother.

James M.
a.k.a. Tasmanian Devil

Friday, January 27, 2017

A couple of my brothers and I were having a conversation yesterday about family and some of the bridges that we have burned along our paths. There was a time in all of our lives that we allowed regret to hold us back, when we were hesitant to act and to speak because we were so accustomed to making the wrong decisions.

One of our brothers communicated with us that he heard from one of his family members recently that he hasn’t heard from in ages. When we inquired on how that conversation came about, he told us that he felt moved to open up dialogue with his family members, specifically the ones that he hurt along his destructive path. He was no longer afraid or unwilling to confront his problems, and as a result, some of his family members have agreed to communicate on some level.

To look around and have such support from men who are on the same journey is a blessing, and it’s also empowering. I’ve confronted my troubles and regrets, and as a result my wounds are currently healing. Soon we will return to society, and to our families, as better men.

Xavier A.
a.k.a. Chocolate Drizzle

Expressions

“Be not afraid of greatness; some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.”
-William Shakespeare

To be normal is merely average. The range between average and above average is about 30%. The best airplane flight, the best service, the best steak, the above average husband and father is 30% better than the rest. Talk to the people around you and you will come to the realization that most of them are outliers in every sense of the word. In terms of intellectual ability many of us are above average, in terms of athletic ability, resiliency, creativity, innovation, critical thinking, and intuition we have the capacity to be great! But many of us are afraid to actualize our potential: too afraid of failure, of hard work, of rejection and/or embarrassment, we fail to dream, plan and actualize our human capacity for greatness. Shed your fears and journey to become the man that you were destined to be: A GREAT MAN!

Jaa’far A.
a.k.a. Jolly Rancher