Sisyphus Sez . . .
Sisyphus is the nom de plume of a federal prisoner who learned
too late the emptiness of instant gratification. Keenly interested in helping
troubled young people avoid his own mistakes, he believes his anonymity
is important due to his notoriety. "I want kids and young adults at
risk to respond to what I say, not to my infamy. If just one child is helped
by reading advice from me, my gratification will be enormous."
Dear Chris:
Thirteen is a tad young for having manhood thrust upon you. But you have
no choice in the matter. There is no good age to be orphaned, and ultimately
it matters very little whether senseless violence by some drug-crazed maniac
or the equally senseless violence of an accident took your family. More
tragic by far than what has already happened to you would be your surrender
to those events, to allow them to destroy your own future. Most important
is how you react to your situation.
Rather than allowing yourself to be overwhelmed by events beyond your control,
you can honor the memory of your parents through your actions henceforth.
The decisions you make now will dictate the course of your life. The good
memories will sustain you. They can never be taken from you.
There has never been a more dangerous and difficult time for a child to
make his way in this world, but if you apply yourself to developing your
natural abilities, there is virtually no limit to what you may achieve.
You must learn, absorb every particle of knowledge possible. Armed with
knowledge you will be able to overcome every obstacle separating you from
your goals.
Most important is language. Only through the use of language is it possible
to express your ideas. Only through a thorough understanding of language
is it possible to comprehend the ideas of others. Read! The more you learn,
the greater will be your need for new knowledge. Knowledge doesn't guarantee
success, but an absence of knowledge is about as close to a guarantee for
failure as exists.
Chris, if you can reach down to your core, decide you are going to get past
your horrendous difficulties, you will do so. If you stay focused on your
goals, none of the distractions of your surroundings will prevent your reaching
them. Teachers and others in your community will take notice of your efforts.
They will joyously provide guidance and assistance. It is up to you. I'm
sure you'll respond well. Hang in there.
Note: Sisyphus was a king in Greek mythology who angered Zeus, who in turn
made Sisyphus push a huge rock up a hill in Hades eternally. I'm in hell,
hell's all around-and my rock appears permanent-so I'll push it.
Feb-Mar-97
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