The Compassionate Ploy

A recent conversation hangs with me. 

A concerned man's friend will be completing his sentence this summer, getting out after ten years, more than a third of his young life.

 

Can I help?

Here's what I know.

The real objective is to live in harmony and balance, to be at peace. But this objective is not easily understood, it is in effect not enough. How are these concepts to compete for validity and perceived realness a world so given to instant gratification, materialism, and superficiality? This is after all, Las Vegas, where I live and work - and where the young friend will attempt his re-engagement with society.

There will be need for an objective that's familiar and tangible. Something to "strive for" because the act of striving itself will hold little value. I must therefore include, interject, or add on - a target - a demarcation line representing success and failure, having and having not.

But the real purpose will be to provide an opportunity where the young traveler, en-route to the necessary objective, experiences the true reward contained within the trip itself.

The likely best route remains to be determined, more needs to be known. But experience has taught that a tangible objective will be required in order for there to be a shot at the real prize. 

And yes, of course, I would like to help this young man re-enter. 

And I'm prepared to again, devise a compassionate ploy. 

Travel well.

John Jeffrey Lundell