Jury Duty Day

Some people enjoy fulfilling their civic duty with jury duty. However, I do not know any of them personally. My wife is definitely not one of those people. Nevertheless, it was her turn once again to serve.  

The problem with jury duty is that it throws everything out of whack. It puts your normal life and routine on hold. You are responsible for changing everything to accommodate the courts. Babysitters, transportation, and rearranging schedules are all a part of this civic duty. I have had jury duty in all three parishes in which I have lived. There seems to be nothing worse than sitting in a room for hours with complete strangers waiting for the clerk to call your number. Getting questioned means more than a one-day commitment is possible. Sometimes it could take weeks or even longer if selected to sit on the jury. 

Fortunately, this was not my turn to serve. It was my wife's service. 

However, I did have to make some changes. With only one car, I had to make sure she was able to get there. I took a vacation day from work and spent the day in the area the courthouse is located. My second job scheduled me to work that evening, so I made sure my son was available to pick her up if her time was longer than anticipated. 

I was not about to just sit there and do nothing. I also did not want to drive home in case she finished early. With jury duty, there is no timetable established for the day. Many feel like a hostage. 

While my wife served, I decided to explore the town. I ate breakfast at a nice coffee shop. I visited a historical general store, a trading post, and an interesting yet peculiar art museum. I brought lunch to my wife when she called. Shortly after lunch, she was free to go for this particular day. My day was in stark contrast to my wife's day. I was at peace. She was ready to escape. 

As I reflect, I see the simple things in life that make it enjoyable. It is easy to go through life and miss the fascinating things that are out there. Our minds get lost on the big things. Many times, the big things cause us stress. The simple things can bring us refreshment and relaxation.

We recently purchased some patio furniture. I forgot how calming it is to watch the birds, the squirrels, and the sunset. I enjoy the quiet. We all need to enjoy the things that are out there. Some work too hard and miss everything, including their children growing up. Step back. Smell the roses. Enjoy your favorite beverage while relaxing from the stress of this world.

Stress is always available, but so is peace if you take the time to search for it. 

Blockbuster Trade

I am not a big basketball fan. I enjoy the game enough to go watch a live game but not enough to watch it on television. The extent of getting information on my local team is hearing about it on the radio news on my morning commute. 

For the last several years, I have heard how we need a new coach. The team replaced the old coach, and new hope arrived. After the first year, the call for a new coach and a new general manager started. The team has had its difficulties. We have one of the best players in the game and occasionally get into the playoffs, only to lose in the first round. 

This year has been no different. Every morning for many weeks, the sportscasters start suggesting that rather than aiming for the playoffs, try for a lottery pick in the NBA draft. Maybe we will have better luck next year with new coaches and players. 

This morning, the news was much different. I turned on my car radio and heard, "The Pelicans were going to acquire DeMarcus Cousins in a blockbuster trade." The sportscaster also added how the team now has a legitimate chance of not just reaching the playoffs but doing well. 

Again, I am not enough of a basketball fan to know the impact this trade would make. By the sound of the reporter's voice, the team has newfound hope I am aware that local media sometimes over dramatizes how big of a trade can be so I checked out NBA radio. The national media apparently agrees that this is a huge move for the team and possibly for basketball. 

Sometimes in life, we would love to start over. Maybe go somewhere that nobody knows us and start fresh. While a fresh start sounds nice, often it ends with very mixed results. The reason starting over is not always prudent is because we are the problem. We bring our own issues with us wherever we go.  

Most of us do not need a complete overhaul. We simply need to get rid of a few things that hold us back and add something better. 

Would we be better off if we traded hatred for love, discord for peace and selfish ambition for self-control? This would be a blockbuster trade. The results could bring hope. It could bring change to everything around you. It could even bring you success. 

We need to stop trying to change our situations and look inwardly for what we can change ourselves.