When we live in a state of gratitude, more blessings open up for us. I learned that lesson while climbing through 9,500 days in prison. During those 26 years, I maintained a high level of energy and discipline, largely because I appreciated the many blessings that had come my way. Prior to learning about this concept of gratitude, a series of bad decisions drove my life. For that reason, I allowed others to influence me. Although I was a teenager when I began breaking the law, the bad decisions I made exposed me to severe challenges in the criminal justice system. Yet rather than blaming anyone or anything else for the predicament my decisions had created, I learned to think differently. And I'm grateful. Those new thoughts helped me feel stronger and helped to build my confidence. That made all the difference in the world. I learned to live in a state of gratitude​ and to be appreciative-even though I was in prison. To learn more, visit https://michaelsantos.com.