There are many walks of life; different people all around the world living all sorts of life styles. Some are good and some...not so much. But as long as you are trying to be a better person and contribute to society, things that were done in the past should not disable your future.

I know someone who is held back by their past. He has done things most normal people would think monstrous. He's not a bad person but has grown up around a lot of bad things. He wasn't raised in the best neighborhood and things like selling drugs, getting high, committing crimes, stealing and fighting is an everyday part of life.

In middle school, the brother of his best friend was murdered over drugs. Shortly after his best friend survived a gun shot at the age 13. So as they grew up living the "life" it became all he knew; never thinking it was wrong, but just the way life was.

With all of the terrible things that was happening around them his parents moved them out of state in order to get them away from Indianapolis. Moving was suppose to keep him out of trouble but his mentality was already set. So after a few years of living the same "life" as before he moved back to Indianapolis.There he continued trying to be what he thought was cool.

Then one day a younger guy was trying to buy drugs from him, he let some of his friends rob the kid and the only persons name that the guy knew was his. So he was charged with the crime and never gave any other name to the police. A month before he was sentenced he was shot in the knee while trying to buy drugs and guns from a person that was under the influence and discharged the weapon while showing it off. The next month he went to court and was convicted of Armed Robbery and Criminal Confinement both class B felonies.

Since then he has been burdened with incarceration, uncomfortable job interviews, and being labeled a bad person. He always has had a good heart. He is definitely not a saint but is far from evil. If I knew only what I've shared so far I would never have become acquainted with him but the person I know today is nothing like the person he use to be.

He has changed for the better. Becoming a man and putting his childish ways behind him. Learning that there are more important things in life than being a thug, addict, thief, criminal or anything less than his potential. He has turned his life around. Not being dependent on drugs anymore. Now living for family also trying to make something of himself. Trying to do whats best for his children, even if it hurts him. Being happy with life rather than angry for no apparent reason while taking it out on loved one's. Taking responsibility for his actions instead of blaming anything besides himself. Being a positive part of humanity instead of a cancer on the population.

My friend has wanted to change for a long time and he has for the better. He has met someone that inspires him to be better and do right. He now lives life with a smile always on his face treating others with respect and making them laugh and smile as much as he does. Helping anyone that he can. Speaking to others with kindness and treating his girlfriend the way he would want his daughter to be treated

Our pasts are filled with mistakes, but they do not define who we are today. It's what we learned from them that defines us. We shouldn't live in regret cause of yesterday but live for the change of tomorrow. Everything you go through in life there are lessons to be learned regardless if they are positive or negative, it is what you take from these determine your outlook on life.