Transcript
SUBJECT: Acceptance Article DATE: 04/15/2021 06:15:05 PM Would you believe me if I told you I've met the first guy to ever dump Kim Kardashian and break her heart? Or how about the guy who owns three helicopters and a brand new Ferrari? What about the guy who once knocked out Floyd Mayweather while sparring? Yeah, I don't believe any of it either, but these are actual stories I've been told recently by other inmates around me. I guess when you come to prison you can be anybody you want to be, right? like most other adolescents, I once felt lost on who I really was. Although I often felt timid and shy, I longed for other's approval and strived for feats of popularity. Getting heavily involved with skateboarding and making music appeared to be my golden ticket to the crowd I wished to appease. As my popularity soared, my confidence slowly creeped into a state of cockiness, but I finally felt like I belonged. As I became an adult, all the time and effort I put into my so called notoriety almost appeared useless almost immediately. My care for other's acceptance and impressions of me faded out as I lasered in on the concept of focusing on myself. I remained extremely social, but what other's thought about me didn't bother me quite as much. I was comfortable in my own skin, although shame and guilt coursed through my body. Entering prison can be a brand new fresh start and awakening for just about anyone. I can finally be anybody I want to be, so who do I choose to be? Jacob Andrew Keiter. To be honest, I love that I don't have to be someone I'm not. Regardless of the mishaps and unfortunate events that have previously occurred in my life, I like who I am. I have a beautiful supportive wife patiently waiting for my return, I carry a particularly good moral compass, and most importantly I'm destined for greatness and success. I choose to show who I truly am to others. Unfortunately, other inmates don't follow suit, and develop elaborate stories in order to feel accepted. The guy who broke Kim Kardashian's heart, he's constantly begging other for a pen pal because he's burned all of his bridges and doesn't have any healthy relationships outside of these walls. The other guy with all the cars, well he's currently going cell to cell trying to borrow a Ramen Noodle soup for the night. And the individual delivering the knockout punch, you guessed it, he can't even do ten consecutive pushups without running out of breath and collapsing to the ground. Another tactic used among inmates for a matter of acceptance is showing off the things they have. It sounds rather childish in the fashion of "I have better toys than you", but this really happens here. The other day I witnessed multiple inmates taking their shirts off and flexing for each other. This image was rather disturbing to say the least, but all of the inmates seemed to be in one accord and supporting whatever it was that was happening. I thought this was something used to win over the ladies, not the approval of other men. Also inmates will often show off their money or pictures of their friends, family, and even wives to feel accepted by others. I'm sorry, but I do not wish to share pictures of my wife with any of these men, just knowing how they may react. Not everyone is completely comfortable in their own skin, and strongly desire other's approval to assure they're okay in this world, God forbid anybody finds themselves behind these walls in the future, but remember you can easily be the next Ironman: a billionaire, genius, philanthropist, playboy. I mean, who's going to tell you otherwise?
