Knowing When Not To 'Help'...

When given the opportunity I try to help people whenever I can. Sometimes it works out, other times I am absolutely no help at all. I really don’t know if this is a good trait or a bad one but it is part of who I am and I do my best to make things better for people in tough situation. However, I will say that sometimes my humor can get in the way at times and so I try to pay particular attention to that and curb those comments to the best of my ability.

In my various roles and duties across the numerous jobs I have and positions I hold, this desire to help has proven to be quite an asset. With that said, I have had to focus hard on my limitations and know when it really isn’t a good idea to interject or assist. I have written about one aspect of those boundaries before when I discussed some of the requests that I have received while at the office. That is just one place, one job, and one small part of this whole equation.

Countless times, especially lately, there have been times where something needed to be done, some assistance needed to be offered, but I was definitely not the one who could help. In some of those cases I just wasn’t equipped to satisfy the needs of the situation while other times the situation was just out of control and there wasn’t really anyone who could change what was going to happen. It is during these humbling times of helplessness that all I could do is hope and pray that everything was going to work out. At most, I could be an attentive ear but no words or actions would offer any solace, it would just be BS.

Those are the times when being a person willing to help is the most difficult. Equally agonizing is when there are challenges that someone you care about is facing and you know that any proactive steps that you may take would only make things worse so all you can do is sit back, grind your teeth and wring your hands. Selfishly, I would much rather be the person facing the challenges so that I could go full bore into the situation and forcibly clear any obstacles, nuisances, and threats that try to get in my way. Patience was never something that I was good at but I guess it is something that I have to embrace at times. So, for now, I am going to complete this rant and shut the heck up.

Not Guilty

That brief quote, those two words have caused a lot of upheaval as of late. That simple phrase has served as a conclusion for many cases but this time around, even weeks later, there is no closure to be found. In fact, it has been the source of tremendous turmoil and disorder across the nation.

I don’t know if the public trial of Zimmerman is ever going to end and I don’t know if there will ever be a satisfactory conclusion that will ease the masses. Verdicts no longer have sway when it comes to the emotions of the public as the pain that they feel is deeper than that which can be found in any courtroom. Regardless of your opinion of the case and its conclusion, it is important to remember the life that was extinguished.

It all comes down to the simple fact that life is precious and the taking of a life is not something that should be taken lightly. However, justified or unjustified, the taking of a human life is something that happens every day in this world. What we each have to ask ourselves is where is that fine line between taking a life and preserving a life?

In this case, we have to ask ourselves what we would have done. Go through BOTH of the proposed timelines introduced during the trial from beginning to end and figure out what we would have done. Ignore the reports that have been made, the commentaries that have been offered, and look at the evidence that was introduced by the prosecution and the defense. Do you have any lingering questions or doubts?

This is what the jury was faced with during the trial. The system is not perfect but we cannot rely on rhetoric and theory. We have to look at the facts presented, the testimonies given, and the applicable laws in play. There is a lot of room for doubt to be introduced and where reasonable doubt exists a not guilty verdict must follow.

I recently came across an interesting survey which I hope you will take a look at. It is obvious from what perspective the author is coming from but it still is worth a look simply for the links that are provided throughout the document. Regardless of your opinion on the verdict, this is an interesting piece to consider. I don’t expect it will sway anyone from one side to the other, from not guilty to guilty, or vice versa. However, at least for me, it introduces doubt.

In conclusion, I will offer these opinions. IF the events unfolded the way Zimmerman said they did I would have done the same exact thing. IF the events unfolded the way the prosecution said they did I fully support the pursuit that is now taking place. IF I was on the jury I would have voted the same way they did.

In the end, it all comes down to the fact that I wasn’t there and all I have to form an opinion are the facts at hand. What I can say for certain is that we should pray for BOTH of the families and hope that peace reigns in their hearts. Additionally, I will say the same prayer for those who have been adversely impacted by those two words, “not guilty”.