Developing Good Life Habits

Ray Charles: The Father of Soul Turns his Life Around

The 1950s were a tumultuous time for race relations in the United States.  People of color were treated unequally and segregated socially and professionally.  Even during these challenging times, some inspirational individuals used their creative genius to bring together Americans of all races and backgrounds.  Ray Charles was one of those pioneers.  Charles was a blind African-American musician who combined aspects of rhythm & blues and gospel music, to create a new musical genre – soul.  Ray’s music included chart-topping hits like “Georgia on my Mind” and “Hit the Road Jack,” earning him admirers throughout the United States and the world.

Unfortunately, Ray made some bad choices.  He became addicted to drugs, including heroin, for twenty years starting when he was just sixteen years old.  Drugs not only damaged Ray’s health, reputation, and legacy, but they also hurt everyone who cared about him and had to witness his sad decline.  Ray also found himself in legal trouble when he was arrested for drug possession multiple times.

Finally, after being arrested for the third time, Ray decided enough was enough.  He realized that he would end up in jail or dead if he continued to use heroin.  Instead of blaming others or giving up, Ray made a choice to take personal responsibility for his mistakes, checking himself into a rehab clinic in Los Angeles.  Through hard work and a determination to change his life, Ray was able to beat his addiction and stay clean from that moment forward.  He continued his career successfully for decades and in 2008 was named the #2 singer of all time by Rolling Stone Magazine, a feat that could not have been possible without having tackled his major life challenge and developing healthier life habits.

Discussion Questions:

1.    Why do you think Ray started using drugs?  How do you think he felt once he became addicted?
2.    How do you think Ray could have avoided taking drugs in the first place?
3.    Besides staying away from drugs, what are other important good life habits we should all develop? 
        What good life habits can you turn to instead of drugs?