Photographer Trent Bell shared a fascinating and haunting photo project recently. Titled "Reflect," the series of images overlays images of prisoners in the state of Maine with handwritten letters to their younger selves. The photos are poignant snapshots of regret, kindness, too-late regret, and even self-forgiveness. Each image has its own story, told by men imprisoned for murder, robbery, sexual assault, and so on. But this quote stood out, from Jack Haycock, 41, imprisoned for drug trafficking:

I want to warn you that times will be tuff if you don't change … much more will be expected of you from these so-called friends you've picked up along the way … impressing them won't be worth it, because in the end when it's you sitting in a cold cell. They'll be long gone … get to work, Jack, get clean, and avoid the madness, because you are good enough to live your dreams and not just have them in your sleep.

You can view the series here

Possible Preaching Angle:

The power of earned wisdom is deep. It's never too late to change, but some consequences can't be changed.