My personal video can be viewed here: Justice’s Video
Growing up in the heart of the San Fernando Valley, city of Van Nuys (Saticoy & Sepulveda), there wasn’t much I didn’t see. My blue collar father and on and off again stay at home mom gave me structure and support but the environment played its part, eventually. The DARE program in elementary along with good grades and a full schedule of sports became irrelevant going into Junior high school. Just like experimenting of our personality, so does behavior. Gateway drugs, metal music and new friends were exciting and evolving. High school really exaggerated my new unfortunate priorities. My negative lifestyle became a job.
Post high school I calmed down but mostly just replaced drugs with other drugs. Alcohol and inappropriate behavior continued, a functioning addict was my lifestyle, so I learned. Darkness and depression took me deeper into the destructive lifestyle that became a full blown career. Strung out, running the streets, thieving myself from those who loved me, causing destruction on the city.
It came time for prison after repeat offenses but I was saved by rehab instead. I changed my associates and lifestyle; I learned to enjoy life free of mind altering substances. I was told to go to meetings, shut up and listen, that harsh direction is what I needed. I became of service to a 12 step outreach in a variety of ways and continue to be of service to the community and now at work as well. I truly am living the dream, my dream: family, career and service. I work the steps, answer my phone and reach out to still suffering addicts. I was told, “If you want what we have, do what we do”, and “You can only keep what you have by giving it away”. Wow, so heavy but basic and simple to perform after a while. “We went to prison so you don’t have to,” I heard from speakers and it blew my mind with simplicity.
Today I am leading by example to those around me by addressing my character defects and embracing my assets, one day at a time to be the best me I can. I am here for you, as others were and are there for me.
Grateful recovering addict
Justice Baldwin
