Anthony Ray Hinton spent 30 years on death row, convicted for crimes that he obviously did not commit. Overt racism put him there, but statistically, 1 in 10 people on death row are wrongfully convicted.

I have also read a book by Hinton’s lawyer, Bryan Stevenson, called Just Mercy. Stevenson works to overturn death row cases in Alabama, and has many horrifying stories to tell.

Hinton’s ability to show grace in that dark awful place is incredible. His story is so heartbreaking because he lost most of his life because of racism. But it is so uplifting because even when he was close to giving up hope, he persisted in making his service to others his goal. To giving others hope even when he had so little. The effects on his fellow inmates and prison staff were amazing.

Ray Hinton is a good example to think of when I feel like complaining—instead of letting bitterness take your precious and few moments of life, think of how you can be a blessing to others.