"Let Faith Grow: Running Through Adversity" by Ben Hinton is an inspiring journey of resilience and faith. In this powerful book, Ben shares personal stories and wisdom on overcoming life’s toughest challenges. Through his experiences, readers are encouraged to embrace faith and strength, even when facing adversity.

Since the dawn of mythology, time has always been seen as an absolute and relentless power. Saturn, also known as Chronos in Greek mythology, is the god who devours his own children, a metaphor for the inevitability of time that consumes everything. Chronos created time as an infinite current, a force that shapes life, ages, and destroys, never stopping or looking back.

However, the modern view of time gained new dimensions with Albert Einstein and his Theory of Relativity. Einstein taught us that time is not a straight line but something flexible—it can stretch and shrink, depending on speed and gravity. For some, time passes slowly; for others, too quickly. But one truth remains: we can never go back, only move forward.

It is in this paradox that time becomes more than just a concept—it becomes a lived experience, especially when incarcerated. Time in prison becomes its own entity, a prison within a prison—stretched, endless, relentless. Here, time is a cruel dance between Chronos and relativity, a battle fought daily, minute by minute.

Here’s a gift, some advice, a word of encouragement: the more you fill your time with activities that elevate you as a human being, the faster time passes. This is called the state of flow—that moment when you are so absorbed in what you’re doing that you don’t even notice time passing. I rediscovered my love for reading in prison; I would read a book a day. And I didn’t just read—I realized we consume so little of a book, so I marked the pages I loved most, and when I finished the book, I wrote an essay about it. I still have those writings with me.

I redid high school, studied all the subjects; it was a unique experience to go back and study everything I had learned as a young man, but now in another language. I even asked the prison for a calculator to better follow the math classes, but since there were none available, I did the calculations by hand! I studied personal development, religion, and watched the video “Chasing the Dragon” repeatedly, which shows addicts and ex-addicts and their battles against addiction. It helped me a lot to understand my own methamphetamine addiction and where it could lead me.

I decided to work out and started right there in my cell. Of course, my cellmate laughed at first, but I just didn’t care—I kept going. Slowly, I gained more confidence, and that confidence spread to other areas of my life. Even today, I meditate and do yoga every morning, just as I did in prison. I would wake up before the C.O. called us for breakfast. By the time it was time to serve breakfast, I had already meditated, done yoga, brushed my teeth, changed clothes, and combed my hair.

I did yoga straight on the floor, no mat, no blanket, no blocks. It helped me immensely every day, and I became much more aware of my body. And I didn’t care what others thought. To them, it wasn’t normal. How dare I enjoy that moment in prison when they were all there suffering, with their families suffering outside? I heard that many times. But the truth is, it all comes down to choices. I made mine; they made theirs.

I wrote in my diary every day, about the past, the present, and my hopes and dreams for the future. I wrote stories, fiction, and about the reality of my past. I cried a lot—every month, every week, almost every day. I cried asking for forgiveness, I cried accepting forgiveness, I cried always in gratitude, never asking for anything.

Sometimes, I felt like the day wasn’t long enough for all the activities I wanted to do. I even enjoyed the days we were locked in our cells all day, as it was an opportunity to read uninterrupted. Gradually, I created a routine, added new activities, replaced others, and time went by.

Until, one day, the last day finally arrived.

Filling my time and diving into this state of flow made me see the prison experience differently. The walls no longer felt like they were closing in, and the barred windows no longer stopped my mind from flying and building a better future for myself. I thought about creating a list of goals to achieve after prison, but I wanted something deeper than a simple list. I went to understand the etymology of the word "Meta." The word "Meta" comes from the ancient Greek "μετά" (metá), meaning "beyond," "target," or "purpose." Originally used to denote something that goes beyond the here and now, "Meta" carries the sense of transcending, of seeking something beyond the current point—a goal, a change, an evolution.

Understanding that to reach a goal, one must transcend and change, I wrote down all my goals knowing that, to achieve them, I would have to change my current state. With that understanding and knowing I was imprisoned, I chose to use my time to my advantage, filling it with as much flow as possible.

Encouraging Message:

Something strange but beautiful is happening. I am overcoming anxiety. Or at least, I am managing it most of the time.

This period of uncertainty is difficult and I wouldn't have chosen it voluntarily, but perhaps I am exactly where I need to be. I have always struggled with low self-esteem; I am a people pleaser, and all my achievements have always been dedicated to others or done for others (especially my mother).

So losing my job meant feeling my worth diminish because I had tied my self-esteem to an external factor. Now I am working to turn the situation around.

My skills, my value, and my self-esteem must be something autonomous. I am lucky because I am surrounded by friends (and my girlfriend) who constantly affirm that I am valuable for who I am and love me for who I am.

They loved and respected me when I did a more "humble" job in a store just as much as when I became a Senior in a corporate role with a good salary.

Now, the next step is to internalize this truth and accept that, for now, it is better not to address the issue with my parents because it would upset them and me.

Meditation and positive affirmations are working; I feel increasingly confident in myself.

I am reprogramming my brain to have confidence in the future, to trust in my abilities, and at the same time, to trust in the universe, in this force that is within me and everyone and above all, that ultimately helps us find our way when needed.

"Resilience Radiance: Illuminating the Path to Personal Triumph"

In the tapestry of life, every thread weaves a story of challenges and triumphs. Navigating through uncertainties, setbacks, and moments of self-discovery, our journey is a testament to resilience—a quality that defines the very core of our being.

In a world that constantly evolves, embracing resilience becomes an art. It is not merely about bouncing back from adversity but blossoming amid challenges. It's the ability to find strength in vulnerability and transform hardships into stepping stones for growth.

Navigating the Storms: Life's storms are inevitable, but how we sail through them defines our character. Resilience isn't about avoiding the tempest but learning to dance in the rain. It's about understanding that adversities, whether big or small, are opportunities for self-reflection and growth.

Cultivating Inner Strength: True resilience emanates from within. It's a blend of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and an unwavering belief in one's ability to weather the storms. By cultivating inner strength, we empower ourselves to face challenges with courage and grace.

Embracing Change: Resilience thrives in the soil of change. Life is dynamic, and adaptation is the key to growth. Embracing change allows us to shed old layers, explore new possibilities, and emerge stronger on the other side.

The Dance of Transformation: Imagine resilience as a dance—an intricate choreography of setbacks and comebacks. Each misstep is an opportunity to refine our moves, learn new patterns, and gracefully waltz through the rhythm of life.

As we embark on this exploration of resilience, let's celebrate the uniqueness of our journeys. Each story, each struggle, contributes to the symphony of our lives, creating a melody that resonates with the essence of our humanity.