Developing the Growth Mindset

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 René Francisco Rodriguez

Living Meaningfully

Although I am limited by the boundaries of incarceration, I still aspire to live a life full of meaning and purpose.  I acknowledge the hurt and pain I’ve caused and resolve to do better and be better.

The obstacles I face daily make it difficult to achieve my goals, but it is not impossible.  The moment I decided to change my life began with changing my thought process.

By developing a growth mindset, I did not allow the impediments of incarceration to stop my journey of self-improvement. I remain determined to move forward, always in a direction I can be proud of.

Living Intentionally

As someone serving life without parole, I am grateful for the opportunity I was given to study at and earn my Bachelor of Arts degree from Calvin University.  With the fine education I now hold, I am committed to giving back in meaningful ways.

Through mentoring, teaching adult literacy, holding writing workshops, and GED tutoring, I strive to help other men, whose shoes I was once in, lay down a strong foundation they can build on.  As someone who was once a functioning illiterate, I am fully invested in helping others take a holistic approach toward rehabilitation through education.

Higher education changed my life, and I strive to help others see its transformative powers to open a person’s mind to see the productive possibilities.

Living Aspirationally

I am a firm believer that education is the key to uprooting criminal behavior. It is also an effective means to prevention, intervention, and a strong foundational tool to help people change and grow. 

My goal, both inside during my incarceration, and outside, aspirationally, is to help strengthen people and communities in need.

Although I was given life without parole at age 19, I still believe that someday I will reenter society.  I look forward to continuing my rehabilitative work on the outside.

I live with an awareness that I can never fully restore the damage I’ve done. But now my whole life is dedicated to helping others restore themselves as it helps restore my soul.