Have you ever been caught up in the vicious cycle of wanting more? If you have ever thought that what you have is not good enough, that you want more, that you are insatiable, then this series of articles will stop you in your tracks and change your perspective. Chuck Gallagher brings home the consequences of the decisions he has made in his attempts to build the great American dream for he and his family. As you read this series, you will never forget this dramatic story filled with success and failure, ethics and illusions, and consequences and choices.
As a former CPA who, through a series of choices, became a white-collar criminal, I now take the time to review my time in prison and write about that experience so that others may gain benefit from my experience. Some of us learn lessons the hard way. Yet, through sharing the experience of my incarceration, others have stated that they’ve been able to look at their choices in a different and more productive way.
While the prison experience was painful, as the following excerpt from my memoirs shows, it provided a foundation for an incredible opportunity for growth. Likewise, through the prison experience I found numerous ways to help others.
My journal dated - October 6, 1995 reads as follows:
“8:37 a.m. -- Reading this morning brought up feelings of sadness, once again. I understand I'm here to be punished in and being away from my children and the things I hold dear is punishment.
4:00 p.m. -- its time for mail call and stand up count time. I live for this time. Being cut off from society is difficult. I hope each day that someone cares enough, to send me a letter.
9:40 p.m. -- At dinner tonight I had a revelation, I need to talk to high school children and college kids, about the effects of the choices they make. 70% or more of the people here are here for drug-related crimes. It's sad to see the educational level of most of the inmates. How can anyone expect to ever break the cycle of poverty and crime, if they don't have the education to do so? I don't know my role now, but hopefully someday I can make a difference.
”Now, some eleven years later, I find that the personal growth from the prison experience provided a foundation for help to others. The revelation to speak to high school and college students has manifested through the establishment of the Choices Foundation, which provides a forum to educate young people on the effects of the choices they make.
It’s extremely powerful to see and hear how young people react to the message of choice and consequence. All to often they don’t experience the direct consequence of the choices they make. The detriment of youth is you haven’t lived long enough to see the link between choice and outcome. Likewise, many youth, other than perhaps those extremely disadvantaged, have not connection with anyone who has been incarcerated for their actions. Therefore, being exposed, in a direct way, to someone who has made unethical choices and faced the consequences, to some is profound.
All too often we find that “ethics” and “ethical choices” dominate our media through new events of what has been done wrong. In order to change our focus, we must create an awareness of what should be done right. Ethics and ethical thoughts must begin with an understanding that one cannot escape the consequences of their personal choices. For a free report on the five most common corporate ethics violations, go to www.chuckgallagher.com.
The Ethical Dilemma: Integrity Beyond Visibility
In a world where success is often measured by the end result, the ethical compass of our youth is being tested. The notion that dishonesty without detection is acceptable has permeated some aspects of society, raising concerns about the moral fiber of future generations. This article delves into the attitudes of young people towards ethics, highlighting the importance of understanding that every decision carries its own set of consequences, whether immediately apparent or not.
The Transformative Power of Incarceration: Insights and Reflections
Incarceration, often viewed through a lens of negativity and punishment, can also serve as a profound catalyst for personal transformation and introspection. This concept was notably highlighted by Paris Hilton's experience, which she discussed openly after her brief stint in jail. This article delves into how such an intense experience can reshape one's identity and life path, supported by personal anecdotes and broader data on the effects of incarceration.
Self-Integrity – The Foundation of Ethical Decisions
How can someone who is educated and, by all appearances, living the American dream - end up in prison for unethical choices? Were the issues which gave rise to such a dramatic downfall easy to identify? Read how self awareness and integrity can bring about a dramatic turn in ones life.
