One of PanZOu's favorite clients, Gabe, is sadly serving time in prison and asked me to post this essay for him. He hopes it will reach some kids out there and persude them to make better choices. We miss him.

"When It's Said & Done"

By Gabriel Mythil, AKA "DASH"

This is not a game, this is not a joke, this is not what life is supposed to be about. Life is supposed to be about family, friends, joy, happiness. Its's also about money, nice cars, nice clothes, but at what cost? Is never seeing your loved ones again really worth it? not being about to do what you want, when you want, but instead being told what to do and when to do it. How to dress and when to wake up. In other words, you're no longer in control of your life. It might be a couple of months, a couple of years, and unfortunately for some the rest of their lives. The sad thing about it is some people settle for that. They get so accustomed to it to the point where they forget what it's like being free.

Well me I miss my freedom, I miss my family, and I miss the ones that did in fact loved and cared for me. But I was so caught up in my lifestyle that I forgot about the consequences of "thug life". What is "thug life"? Thug life is when you out there getting it, nice cars, nice clothes, money and hoes (sorry ladies) but forgetting that one day it will all come to an end. One thing I did realize is that "thug life" is not really what a lot of people are about. But they try to impress people, the wrong people. Also, because of the benefits, forget about the downfall.

Well this is from me to the upcoming of the streets. I'm not coming at you as a preacher, your parents or someone that's telling you how to live your life. Rather I'm coming at you as a young cat that was thugging but then realized that "when it's said and done" it was all an illusion. Yes, an illusion.