Inspiring, Motivating & Thought Provoking. Greatness lies within many of our fellow brothers and sisters. The problem is we tend to find ourselves incarcerated before we discover this greatness. Our thought patterns and consistent inability to think on a positive level leads us straight to prison. Thought is a critical component to one's success, failure, and survival. Every decision we make on a daily basis requires thought. If not, many actions will be done through impulse, emotion or fear. And impulsive behavior tends to bring about situations from which one needs to be rescued. Think of a preteen, teenager, or young adult, all of whom can possess the impulsive behaviors of children. If the impulses are not tamed or controlled, the behavior patterns will present themselves in each stage of life. Maybe this is the reason many 40-year-olds can be seen with a lack of self-control or the ability to deal with some of life's simplest problems. They cannot face situations from a professional, calm, and diplomatic standpoint. S.T.O.P. was written as a self-help guide to help promote a greater positive thinking process - a thinking process I believe will slow down the recidivism rate within our communities. This will mean that more fathers will be available in the household, more parents around to pass down the guidance that will enable young boys to become men. Men who will stand accountable for their decisions and the direction of their community. As a man, I ask all men to join together and help rebuild what many of us helped destroy. It starts with you. It starts with me. No outside force can aid this cause until the aid is given from within. A better future is literally in our hands. It is my intent that the following ten chapters will provide enlightenment and force all of us to S.T.O.P. - Start Thinking Outside Prison!