“You’re not going anywhere.” 

The vibration of the fists pounding on the basement door was felt throughout the entire structure of the household. The wood frame contorting with each blow while bellows of anguish pierce the air. He was a long way from his happy childhood cravings of the elusive Kit-Kats back in Southern Syria. Yet, this sinister desire was cascading to the surface, reaching its ultimate boiling point. Yearning for that one hit to seep into his bloodstream and release the mental plug that had built up for over a month. The pulsating beats began to soften as his muscles struggled to keep pace with the ordeal. 

His body finally slid down to the door onto the cold floor. With one final whimper, his body had succumbed to the feud as he laid his head to rest. Enough was finally enough. But what version of Anas Alammar would rise as he awakened from his slumber? Alone and finally at peace, he glanced over picked up a small novel near his bedside. Anas delved into the spinal pages one by one. He let the words sink deep within, unconsciously setting in motion the start to his transformation. 

From an early age, Anas had to continually rely on his street smarts to put food in his stomach and maneuver through the world. The town often stared at his small family with beady eyes referring to his 3 older brothers and himself as “the tragedy.”  As his father passed and mother no longer retained parental rights, there was no stable support system for the first nine years of Alammar’s life. Paired with a failing school record, he had to meet his needs by any means necessary. 

Stealing was the name of Anas’s game to stay afloat during these volatile times. However, Anas got his first big break when his mother requested his presence in the United States. The United States was the land of opportunity, but it would mean leaving behind the family legacy. After thoughtful and careful deliberation, his grandfather and uncle set him on his way in the hopes he would have a better life. 

The hustle and bustle of the airport was an awe-inspiring adventure as he laid his eyes on his first ever escalator. Equip with his only English word “Hi,” he attempted to navigate through the gates of the Big Apple. Although he initially missed his connecting flight to Columbus, Anas stepped off the plane and scanned his new terrain. Lush green grass and trees covered the contour of the land, which was uncharted territory for Alammar. Southern Syria was stripped bare to the Earth’s core contents of dirt and soil. This was a new beginning filled with endless Kit-Kat’s and succulent strawberries.    

The admiration of shiny green grass quickly converted into a love of another organic plant. This outlawed herb not only provided relief to the streets of Dearborn, Michigan, but also lined his pockets with cold hard cash.  A small adventure into the ‘forbidden room’ turned into a world with endless possibilities for Anas’s new home. Soon, close to $1,000 a day was making its way into his possession from his master scheme of a marijuana delivery service. But, the money started to wither away as he took his profit and spent it on other corners of the street. 

The transition into opiates initiated from a mere headache. To soothe the pain, a friend offered a Vicodin that would unknowingly catapult him into another lifestyle. Dabbling here and there in what he could get his hands on that ultimately lead Heroin into the palms of his hands. To support the habit, Anas turned back to his old stealing ways. But a lurking criminal investigation stopped him in his tracks. 

Facing the crushing weight of 2 federal felony offenses, Anus knew it was time to start cleaning up his act. As the news broke to his mother and brothers, the family immediately went into overdrive. Stripping away everything he once knew and placed him in the confinement of the basement room. Within the 10×10 space he had a small window, clothes/shoes, and some books on the shelf. Frozen cold chills tingled down his spine as he entered the first stages of withdrawal. There was no communication or physical contact throughout the first month of his family’s restrictions. As he brutally went through all the stages, a physically clean Anas emerged. However, there was still an ongoing war within his psyche.

The only thoughts running through his head was getting out and getting back on the streets for a score. Thus, the attempted escape ensued. The screaming and pounding was no match for his brother. Alammar’s brother stood his ground and let the demons release from his body. A tried and mentally exhausted Anas laid his head down and surrendered. 

With no outlet in sight, Anas began to read the books that shared the room with him. Through the words on the page, he started to transform his outlook on life. As the family saw a glimmer of light at the end of the Anas’s tunnel, his brother rewarded him with a laptop and advised him to listen to the wise words of Jim Rohn. Mr. Rohn had a way of subtly pointing out internal mistakes without directly shamming. “For things to change, you must change.” Those words sparked his long journey into self-development. 

Alammar burrowed himself deeper into the world of text. Soaking in wisdom in the areas of success, wealth, listening, and happiness. During this six-month period, he instilled a healthy routine that became his new source of stress relief. To further his development, he peered back out into the real world. While his family was still giving the tough love treatment, he knew this was crucial to test his growth thus far. Filing job applications at various entities eventually paid off as the opportunity of employment at Panera Bread presented itself to him. A new routine emerged as he set the store up at 5 a.m. and went straight back to his room at 3 p.m. to learn more through his novels. 

The knowledge he acquired gave him the self-confidence to pursue an education through Columbus State. During his time as a student, he became a 4.0 scholar and met his ex-girlfriend Melek. What started as a casual run-in became a blossoming relationship that further evolved Anas. She became a major supporter in his evolution towards a happier and healthier life. The two would spend their time studying and introduce one another to different book selections. The relationship with his family began to improve and everything was finally beginning to settle into place. 

However, the universe had other plans for Anas. The criminal investigation had gathered all the evidence they needed to make a formal arrest. On May 16th, 2016, Anas Alammar was given his verdict. A sentence of 4 years was the price to pay for stealing a play station, playing cards, and $100 in change. Despite the long penalty, he was given the opportunity to be released early by only serving 1-½ years within the prison walls.  

In order to be granted this treatment, Anas had to remain squeaky clean throughout his entire stay. So much as a disciplinary infraction would set in motion the full sentence to be carried out. Alammar knew this was a daunting task because an infraction could be given for something as simple as leaving your shower towel in the locker. Although this seemed like an impossible task, his family’s sentence unknowingly prepared him for the state’s sentencing. He was entering the gates an already rehabilitated 22-year-old man. 

The cold cuffs were chained to his hands and feet, preventing any attempts at an escape. The first waddling steps in the system were taken from the courthouse to the CRC or Correctional Rehabilitation Center. The vibrant glow of the sun that once saturated into his skin was replaced by a large industrial warehouse lamp. This maximum-security prison was in charge of the final details such as fingerprinting, paperwork, and finding him a home to serve out the sentence. 

While mundane tasks took place here, the prison was not to be mistaken for a getaway. Inmates were held on lockdown for 23 hours a day with no access to commissary or visitation for the first week. The only time inmates are released from their cell is to eat. Each prisoner was assigned a cellmate or “Bunkie” for the month before reassignment. Alammar’s first mate was an older man with tattoos and a scar that ran down the length of his entire neck. Although he was first reluctant to his pairing, the man became a great asset to Anas. 

The man taught him the new ways of life inside the prison walls. Things such as how to stay out of trouble, when to use the restroom, etc. Yet, the biggest lesson Alammar learned from this man is to never judge a book by its cover. Alammar judged Rick with just one passing glance without taking the time to properly understand his nature. His neck became scarred from a suicide attempt due to brutal murder of his whole family while he was in prison. He felt responsible for the attack, as he could not protect his family from the perpetrators. The guilt ate away at Rick until he could no longer bare it and eventually made the cut. The two continued to bond over their shared stories during the remainder of their time at the CRC facility. 

When the month block time was up, the decision was made that Anas would spend the rest of his sentence at the London Correctional Institution in London, OH. He went back to his roots and set a goal to read one book a day to avoid wasting time in prison. Melek would buy numerous novels from Amazon and send them for Anas to indulge in. Although he could not complete this task, he often spent 9-11 hours a day reading. Additionally, he signed up for classes at Urbana University to further stimulate his brain. Making the most of his time was vital for Anas because time was moving at the speed of light inside. On the outside, Anas never realized how fast everything was moving around him. Individuals become robots performing task after task without reflecting and relishing the time they have on Earth. 

The moon served as a strong symbolic feature in Alammar’s realization about the essence of time. He compares himself to an astronaut sitting back and taking in the full view of Earth. Watching it slowly rotate on its orbit from an outside perspective. This realization allowed him to figure out what is going on in life and learn from past mistakes. Anas reflected on his time back when he was 17-years-old living in his car. The freezing nights spent enduring the cold Michigan winter with only a red blanket to wrap himself in. Defrosting off in a local Kroger until his friends woke and could take him on his routes. But where could he go from here? How could he be the man he wanted to be from inside prison walls?

In order to answer these questions, Anas had to fully embrace the process. He was progressing day by day through working out, reading over 80 books, and staying up to date on all schoolwork while in the dorm. However, he was tested by an event that had the weight to derail his entire progress. 

After cleaning off in the shower, Anas returned back to his bunk. At his feet laid a saran ball that appeared to look like trash. Upon further inspection he realized that was not any ordinary ball. The contents contained pills that retailed close to 50-60 thousand dollars on the prison floor. He sat and carefully contemplated his options. On one hand, he could throw it away and on the other he could present his findings to a guard. Either option would have grave consequences for Anas’s life. Prisoners could retaliate for breaking prison code or be given a disciplinary infraction resulting in the carrying out of his full sentence. Anas was at a crossroads. 

Fortunately for Anas’s sake a fellow inmate saw the dismay written all across his face. Paralyzed with fear, the inmate offered to take care of the situation. Within moments, he gave Anas the necessary information he needed to make an appropriate action. The pack that came from his Bunkie’s belongings was returned in full. The bunkmate showed extreme gratitude to Anas as the money was being used to feed his family on the outside. While Anas understood the situation, he knew that he had to remove himself from the situation before he fell back into old habits. In order to switch dorms, Anas invented a discrimination story to preserve all parties confidentiality. He could now return to his process.

While in his new dorm (D3), Alammar joined the Horizon Program that consisted of a variety of classes and activities. Every Sunday the group would go to church and practice their preferred religion. Throughout the rest of the week, inmates would teach one another on different classes such as Spanish, stock market exchanges, business, etc. To Anas’s surprise, a yoga class, instructed by fellow friend Maverick, turned out to be his favorite. It was a drastic difference to the masculine culture he was once accustomed to. However, through yoga he was able to find inner strength and peace. Together the group was able to learn and grow with one another on a deeper and spiritual level. 

Alammar took his place within the program very seriously. It was a chance to build strong relationships as well as self-develop. He also took this time to further expand his educational career and send an application into the Fisher College of Business at Ohio State University. With the help of Melek, Anas explained to the board his current situation and was given the result via mail. Melek sent the package directly to him so he could read the verdict himself. Admitted. That one small word radiated through his entire body. Fisher College accepted him for who he was. Anas couldn’t believe all his hard work was finally paying off. 

However, the joy was short-lived. Another letter was sent through the mail… denied. The university could not take a chance that he would only serve the year and a half sentence. He attempted to submit another application, but was once again denied. At this time, the end of his initial sentence was rounding the corner. As he went before Judge Frazier, they found commonalities within each other’s lives. The judge’s daughter had also been a recovering addict, proving that drugs can make its way into anyone’s life. Additionally, he was an Ohio State Alumni. The judge felt Anas has lived up to his end of the bargain and officially ordered the judicial release. 

A free man once again. But the rough patches just kept hitting him like a ton of bricks. His girlfriend Melek decided to go her separate way along the same time another warrant was issued for his arrest. Suddenly all the tools he employed to handle life situations shattered.  He felt as is his whole world was collapsing. He took out a pen and paper and drew a line down the center. On the left side, he wrote all the things that he is grateful for. On the right was a list of things that were currently troubling him. He ended his note with: “Enjoy every moment of your life, spend time with people you love, and don’t be scared of anything, when your heart is in it for the right reasons all will work out.” 

The next day, he walked back into the courtroom to hear his fate. There had been a technicality in his case and was ultimately dismissed. He was not going to let this heartbreak define him. He was determined to get stronger, smarter, wealthier, and more beautiful. In order to put these words into action, he called upon his greatest influences. He was fascinated around the life Andrew Carnegie had built for himself. The man was dedicated to changing the world and leaving behind a lasting legacy. Abraham Lincoln taught Anas about persistence, honor, and determination. Most importantly, his father served as the primary influence in his next path. 

When Anas was a little boy, he would go around the neighborhood and collect stories about his father from the community. Although Alammar never got to meet his father in a conscious manner, the legacy he left spoke volumes. A vast majority of homes within Southern Syria honored his father with a picture on their wall. His father was a dominant part of the community and loved to take care/connect with people in any possible way. Whether an individual was rich or poor, he treated them with respect and dignity. 

Anas wanted to create his own legacy that would outlast his physical presence in the world. The first step to creating this path was laying the foundation of his course of action in his head. The composition was pieced together in a mental blueprint to steer him on the path to success. The next step was to go out and put it in play. Alammar’s new purpose in life is to help as many as people as he can. He started by giving to others in an authentic and courteous manner, just as his father once had. The more love Anas emitted out into the atmosphere, he got back twenty times stronger. Employing his knowledge about active listening, learned through his readings, allowed him to connect with others well below the surface level. 

The span of his communication is not limited to those walking around in the free world. Every year around Christmas, Anas sends care packages valued at $100 a box filled with items that are not easily accessible to inmates. Specifically he targets those who do not have a support system on the outside, those who never visit commissary or utilize their phone privileges. Some take the items for themselves while other distribute the wealth to other struggling members. Nevertheless, the love penetrates through the thick, constricting prison walls to bring a smile to the face for the first time in a long time. This has developed a network of families from all different backgrounds whose path may have otherwise not crossed. 

Even when the inmates are free, Anas still goes out of his way to make sure his family is provided for. Whether it is something as simple as some socks or offering them a job, Anas covers them with the necessary tools to get them back on their feet. Without this reinforcement, most would go back to their criminal ways since US businesses typically stifle their chance of growth with no felony policies. A strong support system is vital to make sure they don’t slip back into the system. He does not want them to be viewed as “tragedies” as he once was, but instead self-made successes. 

The story Anas has offered to us is in the hopes that at least one person can take his journey and take one small piece out of it to unlock something within themselves. He provides multiple recommendations for those to turn to when they are going through tough times. First and foremost, to try and determine what you truly want out of life. In order to do so, you must start mentally planning and then take the necessary steps to achieve your goals. 

However, this process does not happen overnight. It takes diligent effort to get to where you want to be. To figure out your path, you can take advice from anyone around. Whether it is from a loved one, friend, professor, etc. you should listen, but ultimately make the decision for yourself. However, it takes courage to make that decision. To build your courage, you must keep repeating something every day to make it come to life. This restructures your inner mental network to believe in yourself through wary times. But, don’t just focus on you! Give back to those around you through something as simple as a smile or caring for your neighborly homeless community. Create a network of families that come together and make the world a better place. Lastly, never give up. Sometimes initial efforts don’t span out the way you intended, but learn from the mistake and dust yourself off so you can come back ten times stronger.  

Now currently pursing his dream at the Fisher College of Business, Anas continually spread his wisdom to all he comes in contact with. He still vividly remembers a statement made by his brother when he was going through his worst moments. He said to Anas:

 “I see a diamond, but this diamond is all cluttered up in dirt and it needs to be polished and if we can polish this diamond, and clean it up a bit I know that you will shine.” 

Anas works each and every day to polish his and other’s cluttered diamonds to release its organic sheen and restore it back to its raw complexion. His legacy is just beginning, but will live on for decades to come.