Change: It’s not a Mission Impossible
by René A. López

For some a radical life change is a “Mission: Impossible,” especially if their track record reads like a bad grocery list. Mine certainly did: burglary (arrested five times), grand theft, petit theft, theft (three times), loitering, possession of burglary tools, trespassing (three times), defrauding innkeeper (two times), evading transit fare, cocaine possession (two times), forced strong-arm robbery (three times), dealing in stolen property (two times), petit larceny (three times), obstruction of police officer (three times), resisting arrest (two times), battery on a police officer, alcohol violation and four drug rehabilitation programs. All of this occurred in the five years between 1986 and 1991. That was my track record. Not pretty. However, there came a point in my life that I decided to overcome emphasizing excuses, bad examples and addictive experiences.