Decisions Determine Destiny Pt. II

“Decisions Determine Destiny” is such a simple but deep statement.  If you embrace the statement you can achieve accomplishments that you never even imagined.  If you ignore the statement you will end up at the end of your life, in my Court, in jail or at some other tragedy only to wonder how did you get there.  I will tell you now, if you don’t decide which way your life will go you will end up at a destination that benefits some other person’s plan.  

My mission for the East Cleveland Municipal Court is to help everyone that comes within my reach to be the best that they can be.  The Court also has a mission of being a beacon of leadership and training for the City of East Cleveland and the world.  How does one person and an organization accomplish these lofty goals?  The community, East Cleveland and beyond, has to join the movement, voice their expectations for the assumed leadership, get involved in the process of positive change and make a commitment to personally make a difference.

EXPECTATIONS FOR THE CURRENT LEADERSHIP

Every community has issues and challenges.  The current economic environment has many cities and states experiencing cut backs, which causes cut backs in funding to many necessary programs.  However, I believe these challenges create the opportunity for leaders to be creative and innovative in finding ways to move their cities and states forward.  

Every leader, whether elected or those who assumed the path of leadership, has the capacity to lead.  It’s up to the community to get behind these leaders, and even sometimes in front of these leaders, to let their voices be heard.  Instead it seems that the current example of poor voter turnout is being repeated in the form of disengagement from the change process.  As a whole, too many of us sit on the sidelines and complain but don’t get in the game.  I urge you, don’t allow discouragement or hard times to keep you from living in a community that’s prosperous and moving in the right direction.  Get involved, create solutions and be a leader even without the title.

YOU CAN BE THE CHANGE

GET INVOLVED:

The only way to determine the positive destiny of a community or your life is to stand up and be a part of the change.  It’s easy to give up, throw in the towel and let the doubters win, but when everyone starts making positive decisions we will create a positive and productive destiny.  To determine a positive destiny, to see the change, we have to get in the game.  When it comes to elections, many communities came out and supported President Obama in making history, however, since that time, participation in elections have been lower and lower and outright embarrassing.  The same energy that was used to get President Obama elected must be used every day to make sure our community and world is moving in the right direction.  Don’t get discouraged or disengaged, its a matter of life or death! 

COMMIT TO MAKING A DIFFERENCE: 

The first step to committing to make a difference is committing to be positive all of the time.  Being positive is already hard enough considering all the challenges that we face.  Being positive all the time is a really big order but you can do it.  There are times when I have cases coming up that I know will be challenging.  There are issues that are tough to decide and even attorney’s who don’t make the process easy, but I still have to deal with those situations.  How do I get through it?  I decide to be positive.  It’s as simple as that, I actually decide that nothing about a particular situation will cause me to get stressed or make my attitude negative.  I have that power and you do too.  The power to take control of your attitude and positivity is so strong that we must never let anyone else control it.  

“Decisions Determine Destiny.”  The questions are, will you take control of the direction of your life?  Will you allow another person, place or thing determine where your journey in life will end up?  I hope the answer is no.  

East Cleveland Municipal Court’s Judge William L. Dawson is on a mission to help people to Finish First, live their best lives and be Cycle Breakers!  

To receive a copy of his newsletter reach out by: 

judgewilliamdawson@gmail.com

www.teamfinishfirst.com

www.Judgedawson.com

DECISIONS DETERMINE DESTINY

We are a generation that is over concerned about getting rich, being popular and having fun. The problem with this attitude is that it will be ultimately passed down to the next generation, that is if we don’t make the decision to positively shape our destiny.   My mother was an old school parent.  She was not concerned about going out.  She was not concerned about getting rich.  She DECIDED to sacrifice and raise her two sons, William & Wayne Dawson, to the best of her ability.

Sacrifice is not a word that many people use in relationship to other people.  Everyday my courtroom is filled with people who are not concerned about their destiny or the destiny of their family.  Instead, the cases I see are full of selfish decisions that lead to petty theft, domestic violence, choosing to drive with out a license and the list goes on.

During my November Cycle Breaker Workshops, I will tackle the subject of decision making and how what you decide to do today will have lasting effects on your future. 

Lesson 1. Every Action Has a Consequence.

As I sit on the bench hearing the charges and things that people are accused of, I am amazed that, before acting, some people don’t think beyond their current situation.  They don’t consider the future consequences.  For example, a young man that decides to break into a home, because he wants to have some money for his birthday, fails to think about the consequence of his actions.  First and foremost when you break into a person’s home you are breaking into their personal space of security.  It can be a very startling experience to have someone come into your safety zone.  The resulting insecurity can create a life time of trust and safety issues.  Second, when you break into the home of another, especially when there is a possibility that the person is in the home, you are very likely to receive jail time as the penalty.  

At some point we have to realize that our actions will have consequences and these consequences will come in the same form as the action.  That means, if you hurt someone, you will be hurt.  If you break into someone’s home and steal their security, your security and liberty will be stolen.  The same applies to every area of our life.  Even if you are not committing crimes, your decisions in your relationships, your education, your values will determine your destiny.

Lesson 2. Decisions Can Change.

I want to make a this point very clear.  If you have made bad decisions in the past.  If you are in a toxic relationship.  If you did not prepare for your future.  All those decisions can be changed.  That’s the great thing about decisions, they are yours and within your control.  Instead of being discouraged by your current situation, make the decision to change it.  

I learned the lesson of changing decisions early in my life and I continue to apply that lesson today.  While I was a young man in high school I dreamed about being a brain surgeon.  The reason I wanted to be a brain surgeon was because I learned that they made a lot of money.  However, all I did was dream about it.  I didn't prepare for the educational requirements of that profession.  I didn’t develop the discipline necessary to succeed in that profession.  Once I realized I was not able prepared to become a brain surgeon, I had to change my decision and move towards a new destiny.  The point is, as every action has a consequence, you can decide to change directions and move positively toward your destiny.  

Lesson 3. Negativity Cultivates Nothing

Talk to some of the people in our community and you may find that their goals and aspirations include a negative way to get rich, to get back at someone or to get over.  At the end of the day, negativity cultivates nothing.  I watch the “American Gangster” series on television with amazement at the men and women who decided to enter and illegal enterprise only to find themselves dead or in jail.  The worst part of the story.  The untold part of the story is about the lives that they leave in shambles, the mental strain on their family and the embarrassment to their children.  

The moral of these lessons is that when you make decisions you are determining the your destiny and the destiny of your family.  I will discuss the topic of decisions and legacy in the next article.  Until then, stay positive, make good decisions and be Cycle Breakers.

East Cleveland Municipal Court’s Judge William L. Dawson is on a mission to help people to Finish First, live their best lives and be Cycle Breakers!  

To receive a copy of his newsletter reach out by: 

judgewilliamdawson@gmail.com

www.teamfinishfirst.com

www.Judgedawson.com

#Cyclebreakers
#Leadership
#Striveforgreatness

The Elections Are Over.... Now What?

The election season has passed. The people have spoken, or at least a portion of the people considering that too many decided not to exercise their right to vote.  The current leaders have been placed in their respective positions.  The difference with this election season is that those who voted really have an extremely high expectation for the leaders to lead. 

I watched the campaign season with energetic curiosity because this time there was a large number of young people and non political people (those who never ran for office before) who entered their names as persons who wanted to usher in a new America on all levels.

For those who lost, loosing an election, as well as any loss in life, is an opportunity for growth. When we decide to learn from our losses instead of letting them have control over our body, mind and spirit, or even worse letting them depress or destroy us, we strip the loss of its power.  Here are some lessons that we can learn from the losses this season as well as an introduction to the Judge Dawson Cycle Breaker theories of leadership.

Lesson 1. We Must Learn From The Past In Order To Change The Future.

The current generation of young people are not utilizing the wisdom of those who came before them. I'm not talking about the lip service statement that "we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us." I’m talking about burying your pride and asking someone "how did you do it?"  It's is impossible to be an effective leader if your ego, your past or your distrust keeps you from engaging in positive networking. When I decided to run for Judge I talked to everyone who would give me their time. I didn't care who that person was politically aligned to, I didn't care if the person told me I couldn't win. My goal was to dig for as much wisdom as possible. In my mind, it wasn’t about the other person or their personal agenda, it was about my goal to be a leader. 

Even when I was in high school I understood the value of learning from the accomplished. I remember writing a letter to Jones Day, one of the most successful law firms in the City of Cleveland, with offices around the world. While in high school I sent a letter to the managing partner asking him to give me a chance to meet with him so that I could learn how he became successful.  It was a long shot, a letter sent from a boy in East Cleveland to a top law firm in the country.   As I look back on it, I’m sure the letter was full of grammatical mistakes. Nevertheless, I was granted a meeting and that day changed my life. I truly hope that those seeking to be elected, those recently elected or those serving another of many terms utilize the power of asking others for their wisdom. True leaders know the value of experience.

Lesson 2. True leadership Comes From The Desire To Help Other People as Opposed to The Desire Achieve Personal Gains.

The past has shown us that many people elected to office immediately forget to serve the voters who got them there. For a leader to effect any lasting change, for a leader to leave a positive legacy, for a leader to be a Cycle Breaker, that leader must put the people first.  If you ever want to know if you've gotten off track as a leader, look around and ask your self, or your trusted team, if your actions reflect a concern for people or just yourself. If your actions are more about your personal goals rather than the future of the community your leadership is on the wrong track and you may not be cut out to be a leader. Just because you're popular doesn't make you a leader. Just because you won an election doesn't make you a leader. Leadership comes from the burning desire to help others. 

Lesson 3. Everything Matters.

Leadership is in your walk and your talk. I'm not concerned about people catching a leader saying negative things when they think the microphone is off. I’m not concern about a leader having a drink or two. It’s not the little mistakes, but the overall approach to your leadership position that determines your leadership character.  When you decide to be a leader your life is no longer your own and with that leadership position comes the responsibility to make sure you exhibit leadership at all times. 

Lesson 4. We Are All Leaders, Even Without A Title. 

In today's political climate citizens have the tendency to blame others for all the failures and challenges in this country. Instead of being active in the schools, we blame teachers for our kid’s failing grades or bad behavior. Instead of getting out to vote we talk about not being able to trust politicians. It's time for us to step up to the plate and be leaders.  You were born to lead in your area of gifting. By now we should all be able to identify at least one talent that we have. It's that talent that allows us to be a leader. It’s your talents that give you the opportunity to be Cycle Breakers.

East Cleveland Municipal Court’s Judge William L. Dawson is on a mission to help people to Finish First, live their best lives and be Cycle Breakers!  

To receive a copy of his newsletter reach out by: 

judgewilliamdawson@gmail.com

www.teamfinishfirst.com

www.Judgedawson.com

If You Don't Know What You're Talking About....Shut Up!!!

Real Talk with Judge Dawson

There is an old saying that, “If you don’t know what you’re talking about, shut up!”  I’m not the type of person to tell anyone to shut up, but I am amazed at how many people speak on issues, major and minor, of which they have no grasp of the full facts.  I felt compelled to write this article because, speaking without knowledge and acting without knowledge is a very dangerous way to live.

The Affordable Healthcare Act is one example of where people have been speaking and acting with out full knowledge.  I watched with amazement as the United States Government began the shut down process.  As our nation’s news outlets covered the shut down, I noticed interviews of everyday Americans asking if they preferred ObamaCare or the Affordable Care Act.  Over and over again men and women expressed their positions on which of the two policies they preferred.  Not only did people choose which one, but they also gave detailed reasons for liking one over the other.  The most disturbing part of these interviews and the answers given is that ObamaCare and the Affordable Care act are the same.  The confusion exists because the U.S. media gave the Affordable Care Act the nickname Obamacare. In fact, many of Obamacare's numerous provisions have already been enacted and helping Americans. The rest of the program continues to roll out until 2022. Over 100 million Americans have already benefited from the new healthcare law.

Across this country, people are standing firm, picking sides and arguing to the end on issues of which they are not clear.  The example in regard to health care is a national example.  On the local scene we have this happening every day on every type of issue.  We have people voting or not voting for local candidates on misinformation. We have people liking and disliking people on the basis of misinformation.  We have relationships and homes being destroyed on the basis of misinformation.  Just recently I heard very different sides of an alleged criminal event that took place in the City of East Cleveland.  The allegation is that some of the local youth were disrespecting police officers which lead to the youths’ arrest.  While the other side of the story was that the police abused the youth and used unreasonable force.

The worst part of this local example, as evidenced by what’s happening on the national scene, is that people are getting emotionally attached to their positions to the point of being willing to go to battle.  When the members of a community feel that police officers are using unreasonable force to keep the peace, trust between officers and the community is strained.  Sometimes this strain leads to violence.  On the other end, when the police officers believe that youth are out of control and disrespectful, officers will be more willing to use force and use it quickly to maintain peace and order.  

The solution to this quandary is to make sure you know the facts before you get attached to a position.  On a national scale, if you are going to debate the healthcare laws, don’t take a position just to spite President Obama.  To favor the Affordable Care Act while being against ObamaCare when they are the exactly the same thing is simply an embarrassment of your intelligence or lack thereof.  ObamaCare, Obama Care, and health care reform are all the same thing. The official name for "ObamaCare" is the Patient Protection and the Affordable Care Act (or ACA for short), a bill signed into law to reform the health care industry by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. On a local scale, to take a “all police are pigs” position, without being present to witness the alleged abuse, is an irrational act.  As a defense attorney and a Judge, I have come to learn that people only tell you half the story.  In effort to gain your support, they won’t talk about exactly what they did to resist arrest.  They won’t talk about how they obstructed justice and they won’t talk about how they disrespected the police.  Neither will every officer tell you how they may have over reacted when they made a certain arrest and labeled all youth as out of control.  

The moral of the story is to get all the facts before you put yourself, your reputation and your integrity on the line.  That goes for government officials, police officers and community members.  “If you don’t know all the facts then, shut up!”

East Cleveland Municipal Court’s Judge William L. Dawson is on a mission to help people to Finish First, live their best lives and be Cycle Breakers!  

To receive a copy of his newsletter reach out by: 

judgewilliamdawson@gmail.com

www.teamfinishfirst.com

www.Judgedawson.com

No Vision = Death!

The good book says that “where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”  Proverbs 29:18.  This is just as true now as it was when this proverb was first written.  In fact, every day I see examples of people with a lack of vision in my Court, in the schools and on the streets of our cities.  There are too many people dying mentally, spiritually and physically because they lack vision. 

An example of the lack of vision is a case that was in my court room where a young girl, 20 years old, was living with her boyfriend, 55 years old, and accused him of domestic violence.  Though I will not get into the specific facts of this case, the points of interests are as follows.  The young lady was 20 years old, living on her own after graduating from high school.  She was not working and not furthering her education.  So I asked myself, how do people end up in these types of situations?  The answer is that somewhere along the line she and the people in her life did not set a plan for her.  When I say people in her life I’m talking about her parents, guardians, family members, school teachers, counselors and school administrators.  Every person who had a chance to touch the life of this young lady before she became an adult failed her.  On top of the communities failure, she failed herself. 

Another example is a conversation I had with a community man talking about the youth in the hood.  This man mentioned that if these young men don’t have anything to do, they will end up burglarizing and robbing people.  His solution?  Have them pass out campaign literature, work election polls and other odd jobs.  My response?  WRONG!  Small jobs and working here and there will not secure a young person’s future.  Instead our young people have to get a vision, start working in the direction of their vision and continue being educated so that they can positively maximize their moments.  This is the solution to keeping us, as well as our youth from suffering due to lack of vision. 

The next step, according to Proverbs 29:18, and very relevant to me as a Judge, is to keep the law.  Keeping the physical laws of man are important because it will keep you from going to jail. Also, keeping the law of living through a vision will keep you happy and prosperous.  To keep the law of living with a vision you must: 1. Associate with people whose lives you would like to live.  That seems like a simple statement but its not.  We must  surround ourselves with people moving in the right direction.  This can be especially challenging in the inner city where the biggest influences are often the criminals or those who are stuck in the ghetto mentality.  Avoid those people.  Though you can have casual interaction with them, hi and bye, don’t waste your valuable time with them.  It’s possible that they could be holding you back from your destiny.  2. Study or read for at least an hour a day.   If you are in school this should be an automatic practice.  If you have finished school you must still continue to learn and grow. You can study at the library, the book store or even on the internet.  Once you identify what you want to accomplish for your future, you have to put in the time to study so that you can actually achieve that goal.  Don’t let anyone tell you that your best life can be achieved without hard work and dedication.  Hard work and dedication includes studying to be the best that you can be. 

Our young people are suffering and even dying due to a lack of vision but it doesn’t have to be that way.  Get focused and make the rest of your life the best of your life.

East Cleveland Municipal Court’s Judge William L. Dawson is on a mission to help people to Finish First, live their best lives and be Cycle Breakers! 

To receive a copy of his newsletter reach out by:

judgewilliamdawson@gmail.com

www.teamfinishfirst.com

www.Judgedawson.com

Judge William L. Dawson talks about "Taking Care of Business"

No One Cares Until It's Too Late!!!

As I sit in my chambers between my morning and afternoon court dockets, I look at the upcoming cases and feel my normal emotion of disappointment.  From people being charged with misdemeanors because they didn’t pay the bus fair to others being charged because of arguing and fighting in the streets over nothing (disorderly conduct), It seems like no one really cares about their future until its too late.  Now of course I can not speak for every person and every situation.  Surely some people care about the consequences of their actions, but even the best of us sometimes fall into the following traps: 1. Driving with out a license – no one cares until they are arrested. 2. Slowly riding through a stop sign or red light – no cares until they are in court facing a fine and points on their license. 3. Over reacting to a domestic situation – no one cares until they are in court charged with domestic violence.   

As Judge of the East Cleveland Municipal Court, I am dedicated to being a “Cycle Breaker.” I will fight to change the careless attitude about destruction of our communities and the destruction of people’s potential and future.  How will I fight?  By educating people through my workshops called “Finish First” and “Emotional Intelligence.”

 In addition to the training that we provide in our Court, I will utilize the power of creative sentencing to drive home the message of responsibility and accountability.  Recently the local Fox 8 news station covered the actions of my Court when I sentenced a man to cut the grasses of empty lots in the City of East Cleveland as a penalty for his crimes.  This man was convicted of stealing lawn mowers in the city and I decided that I had to make him physically and morally pay for his criminal activity.  By sentencing him first to cut grass and then to the Drug Court program headed by Cleveland Municipal Court Judge Anita Laster Mays, I made him take responsibility for his actions while trying to get him the help he needs to fight his addiction to drugs.  If he is not successful in the Drug Court program he will face 6 months in jail. 

 I am expecting a positive outcome and turning point for the offender, however I still dislike the fact that too many people don’t seem to care about their wasted potential or future.  Instead of the man cutting grass as a sentence, he could have pursued employment in that occupation or even started his own business. 

 Is it true the no one really cares until its too late?  Whether its an absolutely true statement or not, one too many people are getting caught in the Legal Matrix thereby destroying their future which effects us all. 

 On Monday night I will conduct the “Finish First/Emotional Intelligence” life skills training in the East Cleveland Municipal Court.  My goal is to empower people so that they will start caring about their future and creating their best life before its too late.  Speaking of creating a best life, my Chief Personal Bailiff, Maurise Sanders, was so impressed with the effort displayed by the man sentenced to cut grass that Bailiff Sanders offered to buy the man a lawn mower once he gets out of drug treatment.  This way, instead of going back to stealing lawnmowers, he can use the experience of his negative interaction with the legal system as a turning point and go from outlaw to entrepreneur. That’s being a Cycle Breaker!  

            

East Cleveland Municipal Court’s Judge William L. Dawson is on a mission to help people to Finish First, live their best lives and be Cycle Breakers! 

To receive a copy of his newsletter reach out by:

judgewilliamdawson@gmail.com

http://www.teamfinishfirst.com

www.Judgedawson.com