Alive Time or Dead Time? An Inspiring Story about Malcolm X Told by Robert Greene.

Given his rough upbringing and circumstances, Malcolm was imprisoned for robbery from 1946 to 1952, from which he endured the most critical time of his life, leading to the African American movement and human rights.

Until that point, Greene noted, “The world took everything away from Malcolm X except for one thing; his ability to turn his jail sentences into an alive time.”

In his Autobiography, X explains that, the defeat, the heartbreak, and the losses he’d experienced, contained in them the seeds and lessons on how he could improve as a human being.

“To have once been a criminal,” X stated, “is no disgrace. To remain a criminal is the disgrace.”

With his newfound moral virtues, X ended up turning those six years of agony and despair into what Robert Greene later recalls, as “Alive Time.” He had nothing else to do with his time but to think, learn how to read, and ultimately shred away to a better version of himself.

The conversion of Malcolm X’s story had left Mr Greene with the final thought that “Many serious thinkers have been produced in prisons, where they have nothing to do but think.”

And as Lao-tzu tells us: “Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.”

Alive Time or Dead Time?

“People don’t realize how a man’s whole life can be changed by one book.” Said Malcolm X, “It was such a turning point in his life.”

Again in his Autobiography, X remarks that he could spend the rest of his life reading, just to satisfy his curiosity.

“My alma mater, “ said Mr X, “was books and a good library.”

As stated in his Autobiography, “I’ve had enough of someone else’s propaganda…

I’m for truth, no matter who tells it.

I’m for justice, no matter who it is for or against.

I’m a human being first and foremost; as such, I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity.”

…

Greene said, Malcoms X could’ve easily become bitter. Planning more evil plans. Going after those who wronged him. Or as they say in the West, “Out for blood,” but  he didn’t.” Instead, he went on a journey of self-discovery, and one of re-invention.

As American writer Joan Didion, put it, “It is the willingness to accept responsibility for one’s life, that we tap into the source from which self-respect springs.”

You get to decide whether the things that happen in your life are happening to you or are happening for you.

Author Ryan Holiday, put it beautifully when he says “We forget, In life, that it doesn’t matter what happens to you or where you came from. It matters what you do with what happens and what you’ve been given.”

And since we’re all students of life, the key here is to never stop learning. The wisdom, and the knowledge you will attain, will assist you in forming your ideal mental model.

As always, thank you for reading.