Holiday Message 2024
Out of My Head and Into my Heart
December 25, 2024
When our ministry was in its infancy, I was unexpectedly feeling anxious, irritable and discontent. And, I had major shpilkes (Yiddish for ants-in-the-pants). I just couldn’t settle down. So, I went to see a spiritualist. I actually had no idea what a spiritualist was, but I knew I needed help.
He was a kind and gentle older man, who had me lay down face-up on a massage table in the center of the room. As I lay there with my eyes closed, for the next hour or so, he dangled over me a crystal on a string. I didn’t see him do it, but I could feel the crystal’s presence swinging inches above my body and my face.
At the end of the session we sat and talked, and he told me what he had learned about me. He explained that there was a battle raging in me between my material side and my spiritual side, and that I would suffer forever unless I chose a side. It was clear that in order to no longer suffer, and to prosper, I needed to get out of my head and into my heart. It was a powerful revelation to which I knew I had to commit. And so I did. Or at least I tried to.
I’d like to let you know that, in the almost decade since, I’ve had smooth sailing. But this has not been the case. In truth, I’ve taken almost every opportunity to get back into my head as if the untold answer to life’s problems was in there dormant just waiting for revelation. And so I’ve suffered. Again and again. And the solution has always been the same – get into my heart and out of my head.
For the past couple of months, I’ve been going through this difficult cycle yet again.
As you know, our support group’s White Collar Conference in October was a resounding success and a seminal moment in our history. Not only did it rally over 150 Fellow Travelers, it also validated us in the eyes of the greater criminal justice and legal communities. And, equally as important, it brought together a team of smart, talented support group members who wanted to make a difference. They wanted the conference to shine, and for our support group to grow and prosper. Working with them on this project was one of the greatest gifts of my life.
With this committed team firmly in place, soon after the conference I announced that it was time for me to move on to the next chapter of my life, and to pass the torch to the next generation. We discussed it, and all agreed that the time was right for the group to have a new leader. So, together we voted.
I am very proud to formally announce that, effective Jan. 1st, my dear friend and colleague Bill Livolsi has been appointed as our new Executive Director.
Bill is, of course, the perfect choice. Not only has he been the first point of contact for most new members, but as Deputy Director over the past couple of years he has exhibited exceptional leadership skills. He has led first with his heart. But you all know that already.
One of the things I admire most about Bill is that he always asks for help and helps when asked. And he knows that he will need a lot of help. All of the members of our planning committee are resolute in helping him, and our group, to succeed. And I am now asking each of you to step up to give Bill your support, and to volunteer your time and talents to making our support group become the absolute best at whatever God intends it to be.
With my decision to step back, my heart-head dichotomy quickly re-emerged. Couldn’t I just settle down, accept the grace of this moment, and allow a void to appear? I knew that the universe abhors a vacuum, and that my life would soon enough be filled with a host of new spiritual people, places and things that would serve me in the next chapter of my life? But, of course, I couldn’t.
Instead, I reverted back into my head. Big time. There was something I needed to figure out. And I was going to force it and to suffer until I had the answer. The mistakes started, and then started to overwhelm me. My leadership suffered, my law practice suffered, my marriage suffered, and I suffered. That’s a lot of needless suffering in a pretty short period of time.
This morning, Lynn sat me down and suggested to me – well, she told me – that I had to, yet again, get out of my head and into my heart. And, as the adage goes, “when the student is ready the teacher will appear,” because I was ready to hear it. And to do something about it.
I believe, I hope, that I am ready to accept my new Emeritus role within the support group, and to fully embrace the spiritual calling that started this whole thing in the first place – to support people suffering in silence in moving out of their isolation and into our great community. We all know that this mission has worked for us, and can work for countess others if we reach out to them. It feels right. It feels noble. What a relief.
With this, I want to let each and every one of you know how much I cherish you, and of the profound impact you’ve had on my life and that of my family. I’ve certainly gotten far more from you than I have given. That has been, and will remain, the root of my humility. We are all but channels of God’s love, if we choose to be.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve. I’m not going anywhere, because with you is where I need to be.
Prayers, blessings and לשלום to you and your loved ones for happy and healthy holidays.
Jeff
We highly recommend Brent Cassity’s podcast, Nightmare Success, in which he interviews justice-impacted people from all walks of life. He is a White Collar Support Group member with a mission to be of service to our community. Please check it out on Spotify at or on your favorite podcast platform.
Sponsored by Progressive Prison Ministries/White Collar Support Group™. Start Here™. https://prisonist.org
Sponsored by GrantLaw, PLLC: https://grantlaw.com
