James Morgan
If you receive the periodic Mighty Purpose email, then you may have noticed at the bottom of the mails the following:
"Copyright © 2013 Mighty Purpose (Sterling Lynk). Everyone has a purpose - even copyright lawyers."
I'd like to offer this amendment; everyone has a purpose - even men who have spent nearly half their lives in prison. Artist James Morgan is such a man.
Since being paroled, Mr. Morgan has worked to survive, create meaningful art, and serve his community. He also has a message to share with all of us - and it starts with this Max DePree quote:
Since being paroled, Mr. Morgan has worked to survive, create meaningful art, and serve his community. He also has a message to share with all of us - and it starts with this Max DePree quote:
"We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are."
Mr. Morgan is surviving with purpose and we can all learn a few things from him.
Be well,
Sterling Lynk
Be well,
Sterling Lynk
Tell us about yourself.
I’m 54 years of age, and have had what I would consider a very challenging life. Despite that, I have found many ways to be open to the joys and treasures we can all access when we give ourselves the gift of “paying attention” to the world outside of ourselves.
I have a passion for the arts in all forms - painting, written and spoken words, and photography - out of a sense of appreciation for simple and sometimes complex creativity.
My work at this juncture provides me with the ability to remain humble. I do janitorial and some food preparation work for a local deli, and some construction and maintenance work. I take pride in what I do, particularly when I have the opportunity to observe the reactions of those who for whatever reason feel that I could be more useful in other fields of labor.
Everyone has a purpose. Tell how you live yours.
I spent many years trying to understand what my purpose was, and is at this point in my life. I've come to understand through deep contemplation and experience that one’s purpose sometimes comes from one’s pains in life. As a young man I often questioned and wondered “Why is this happening to me? For what reason does it seem I have no joy, no happiness?”
I remember an encounter I had with a young man struggling with his sense of identity. My ability to listen to this young man was a direct result of having “walked in his shoes.” I found myself wanting to listen to his story, and then offer counsel and support for his struggle. In this one small way I came to understand that in that situation, that moment, I was living my purpose.
I feel at times that I could do better in how I live my purpose. Lack of stable housing, and sometimes income, proves to be somewhat of a challenge, but at the end of the day I have a sense of service to others and myself.
Things always get in the way of purposeful living.
I often find that it comes down to having the patience to wait on the right time, and the right people to share that calling with. There’s a time and place for things and often it takes a collective of individuals to see that a wrong is replaced by a right, that justice prevails over injustice, or that pain is overcome by joy.
I've encountered during the course of my life poverty, being homeless, imprisoned, imprisoned by low self-esteem, lack of education, lack of being closely connected to family, and self. In my attempts to understand what seemed to be impossible obstacles, I soon found that it was in those experiences that I found my strength. Someone once pointed out to me that in defining my purpose, my calling, and sharing my vision, I had to first understand and accept that it does not come with a sign that states “No Experience Necessary”.
It seems like you have to hustle to make it. What inspires you to keep going?
I often find that I am inspired by the treasures and gifts that others pass on to me. I move forward and “hustle” to the best of my ability each day to see that my life is one with meaning. I find that I’m inspired to be an example in the face of those who will say that a particular thing, or challenge “can’t” be overcome.
I think it's a good time to share some of your art. Can you tell us a little about your artistic work?
I enjoy being creative in the production of my works of art. I create original landscapes, abstract art and sometimes portraits. I also have a ceramics studio and I write.
Art is one one avenue all of us have to express the inner-person inside each of us, and to share that gift with others. Sometimes people will say to me that they want to draw or paint but they don't understand the right techniques. I tell them to just do it. They don't need to know "how to draw" to draw.
You don't have to understand the techniques or what the art you do means - there is something inside of you that wants to be expressed.
If your community has any questions about my paintings, then they can email me at jus4uproductions@gmail.com. All of these paintings are currently on display at Melly Mell's in Madison, WI.
I’m 54 years of age, and have had what I would consider a very challenging life. Despite that, I have found many ways to be open to the joys and treasures we can all access when we give ourselves the gift of “paying attention” to the world outside of ourselves.
I have a passion for the arts in all forms - painting, written and spoken words, and photography - out of a sense of appreciation for simple and sometimes complex creativity.
My work at this juncture provides me with the ability to remain humble. I do janitorial and some food preparation work for a local deli, and some construction and maintenance work. I take pride in what I do, particularly when I have the opportunity to observe the reactions of those who for whatever reason feel that I could be more useful in other fields of labor.
Everyone has a purpose. Tell how you live yours.
I spent many years trying to understand what my purpose was, and is at this point in my life. I've come to understand through deep contemplation and experience that one’s purpose sometimes comes from one’s pains in life. As a young man I often questioned and wondered “Why is this happening to me? For what reason does it seem I have no joy, no happiness?”
I remember an encounter I had with a young man struggling with his sense of identity. My ability to listen to this young man was a direct result of having “walked in his shoes.” I found myself wanting to listen to his story, and then offer counsel and support for his struggle. In this one small way I came to understand that in that situation, that moment, I was living my purpose.
I feel at times that I could do better in how I live my purpose. Lack of stable housing, and sometimes income, proves to be somewhat of a challenge, but at the end of the day I have a sense of service to others and myself.
Things always get in the way of purposeful living.
I often find that it comes down to having the patience to wait on the right time, and the right people to share that calling with. There’s a time and place for things and often it takes a collective of individuals to see that a wrong is replaced by a right, that justice prevails over injustice, or that pain is overcome by joy.
I've encountered during the course of my life poverty, being homeless, imprisoned, imprisoned by low self-esteem, lack of education, lack of being closely connected to family, and self. In my attempts to understand what seemed to be impossible obstacles, I soon found that it was in those experiences that I found my strength. Someone once pointed out to me that in defining my purpose, my calling, and sharing my vision, I had to first understand and accept that it does not come with a sign that states “No Experience Necessary”.
It seems like you have to hustle to make it. What inspires you to keep going?
I often find that I am inspired by the treasures and gifts that others pass on to me. I move forward and “hustle” to the best of my ability each day to see that my life is one with meaning. I find that I’m inspired to be an example in the face of those who will say that a particular thing, or challenge “can’t” be overcome.
I think it's a good time to share some of your art. Can you tell us a little about your artistic work?
I enjoy being creative in the production of my works of art. I create original landscapes, abstract art and sometimes portraits. I also have a ceramics studio and I write.
Art is one one avenue all of us have to express the inner-person inside each of us, and to share that gift with others. Sometimes people will say to me that they want to draw or paint but they don't understand the right techniques. I tell them to just do it. They don't need to know "how to draw" to draw.
You don't have to understand the techniques or what the art you do means - there is something inside of you that wants to be expressed.
If your community has any questions about my paintings, then they can email me at jus4uproductions@gmail.com. All of these paintings are currently on display at Melly Mell's in Madison, WI.
You have a lot going on. Tell us about some of the projects you're involved with.
I’m involved in several projects that require knowing that we can effect change in a positive way, by recognizing that we have the power to do so.
I’m with an organization called MOSES (Madison Organizing in Strength, Equality and Solidarity) to address racial disparities in the criminal justice system in Wisconsin.
Second, I’m a member of Men of Valor, a group of men from different faiths and cultures who come together to support one another, and to address some of the issues that young men and women encounter in our communities. I’m in the process of formulating, in concert with Zion City Ministries International a project to assist the previously incarcerated in re-connecting with their families and our communities in a healthy and productive way.
I like to involve myself in areas where I may, in my own small way, have the opportunity to increase the quality of life for those I encounter, for our communities as a whole and for myself. For example, I'm considering transforming my ceramics studio into a co-op for people returning from prison.
Many folks in your situation simply give up. What keeps you going?
Each endeavor comes with a certain challenge, and I sometimes find myself wanting to quit. I've come to understand that “quitting” accomplishes nothing, and that we all feel at one time or another that we can’t make a difference. I put the negative “self-talk” on the back burner and do whatever is necessary to contribute in a productive manner.
I often feel things on a very deep level, but I will determine my course of action and participation by what/how I think about a particular issue, and in that context, view its potential for success. The most important principle that I rely upon, in all things, is “love.” For myself, out of love comes compassion, empathy, understanding, sacrifice, service, health and well-being of my spirit.
Ultimately that’s what keeps me in balance with the life I live, and the persons who inhabit this world with me.
I’m involved in several projects that require knowing that we can effect change in a positive way, by recognizing that we have the power to do so.
I’m with an organization called MOSES (Madison Organizing in Strength, Equality and Solidarity) to address racial disparities in the criminal justice system in Wisconsin.
Second, I’m a member of Men of Valor, a group of men from different faiths and cultures who come together to support one another, and to address some of the issues that young men and women encounter in our communities. I’m in the process of formulating, in concert with Zion City Ministries International a project to assist the previously incarcerated in re-connecting with their families and our communities in a healthy and productive way.
I like to involve myself in areas where I may, in my own small way, have the opportunity to increase the quality of life for those I encounter, for our communities as a whole and for myself. For example, I'm considering transforming my ceramics studio into a co-op for people returning from prison.
Many folks in your situation simply give up. What keeps you going?
Each endeavor comes with a certain challenge, and I sometimes find myself wanting to quit. I've come to understand that “quitting” accomplishes nothing, and that we all feel at one time or another that we can’t make a difference. I put the negative “self-talk” on the back burner and do whatever is necessary to contribute in a productive manner.
I often feel things on a very deep level, but I will determine my course of action and participation by what/how I think about a particular issue, and in that context, view its potential for success. The most important principle that I rely upon, in all things, is “love.” For myself, out of love comes compassion, empathy, understanding, sacrifice, service, health and well-being of my spirit.
Ultimately that’s what keeps me in balance with the life I live, and the persons who inhabit this world with me.