Choose Wisely By Dr. Juan Harrison
Choose Wisely
It’s seventy-nine outside in early February. Two weeks ago I forgot I had on a pair of those stylish moccasin type shoes with no grip on the bottom as I was launched into orbit on 2 inches of ice covered by snow. Welcome to East Texas weather. As I recuperate and get better each day, I have a new appreciation for my left arm and shoulder as I am now intimidated by bank drive thrus, door handles, and McDonald’s windows. I’m figuring it out as the old body heals.
Today somebody saw fit to send me a hacking cough and a snotty nose, so I missed the chance to sit by my wife in the courtroom as she watched our youngest do his lawyer thing. It’s a special case with a packed courtroom. Reminds me of when he was judge and a prosecutor before that. Makes an old heart proud.
Looking out the window of the computer room I see shades of Norman Rockwell. Our neighborhood for the last 30 years we’ve been here has doubled as a walking track, buggy lane, dog run, bike trail, and general excuse for folks to walk abreast of each other or jog slowly as they share thoughts and time together.
I’ve been places and found myself, especially overseas, where I didn’t feel the security and serenity I feel today as I experience the blessings of a quiet street and observe my neighbors and nearby residents who walk by, run slowly, jog a bit, all with the expectation of a peaceful outing. If I venture outside, I’ll normally be greeted by hellos, be it from friends or strangers. If they’ve moved from far away, we may have to train them in our friendly East Texas greetings.
It’s a regular workday for most people, but the stream of walkers and joggers and baby buggies is pretty steady. It’s seventy in February. Might be 30 tomorrow in East Texas. Might wanna get your 10,000 steps in while the weather’s good.
As you’ve often heard me repeat the importance of gratitude and gratefulness in having a blessed life, once again I thank the Lord for serenity with no bullets flying, no tanks in the street, no limits to our freedom of opportunity here. We’ve labored hard and been blessed with fruits of our labor. Grace put me here instead of places I’ve seen, visited, and lived where freedom didn’t abound and governments had produced mediocrity. Our quality of life here is above average. Our options are larger. Our selection of choices is much bigger. This is the rub. We can take the easier route with more guaranteed benefits with limits on it, or we can work our level best to reach that next level. Our country is special. We get a choice as to how hard, how much, what goals we set. Our choices make the difference. In the land of plenty we have many choices. Choose wisely.
By Dr. Juan Harrison
