Why I Love Jury Duty
Can there be anything worse then getting a jury summons? They even call it a summons, although when you get there they try to explain to you that this is the greatest thing for our democracy.
But I actually loved it and it taught me many lessons.
1. It allowed me to stop my life long enough to think, to think about my life. We are so busy living we rarely have time to think about what we are doing, why we are doing what we’re doing, is it making us happy, is it fulfilling?
Now this might be scary for many people and not for the weak hearted. After all you may not have the answers to these questions and that can be unsettling to say the least.
But it is so important. How can we just ignore the most obvious questions facing our lives.
Therefore it can be a blessing when we have no choice but to think about it.
And what a place and time to do that. Just imagine sitting in a room with 100’s of people of all walks of life and nationalities. All residents of orange county but with very diverse beliefs and cultures.
I brought along plenty of food and reading material. This was a great place and time to think about my life and my purpose.
When am I the most alive? What do I know that I should really be doing? What is getting in my way?
Recently I was talking to a fellow who owns his own company and he described his daily schedule and basically he has no life. He has no time for anything else he is totally consumed by his business. It was so clear to me what was wrong with his picture, who needs such a big company, who needs so much money, for what purpose for what end. Everyone else’s life is so easy to dissect and analyze and advise. Our own life on the other hand can be more challenging. These moments of forced contemplation can be a good start to helping us ask these questions and find the answers that are in our soul. Every time I speak with people it amazes me how deep down they know what they should be doing and what the right thing for them to do is. Actually doing it and implementing it is the challenge.
So here are some questions to get you started:
If today was your last day on earth...
What would be your biggest regret?
How would you want your children to remember you?
What do you want your friends to say about you?
What would you say is your biggest contribution to this universe?
What makes you smile most?
While I was there I read something that gave me much to think about: A chosid went for a private audience with the first Chabad Rebbe. During the conversation the Rebbe enquired about his situation. He answered that he had lost everything and was in financial ruin. The Rebbe’s response was clarifying and timely. The Rebbe said, “You are needed to spread the light of Torah and to develop the personal relationship between man and G-d, G-d on the other hand, is responsible to make sure you are provided for. You do what you have to do and G-d will do what He has to do.”
May we find our fulfillment in the unique work G-d has created for each one of us and may G-d bless us with His abundant blessings.
I hope you have as much fun as I did at your next jury summons. The good news is we don’t have to wait until then, any and every day we can make the time to stop and think about the above questions and motivate ourselves to be quiet just long enough so that we can hear the strong but very quiet voice of our soul as it speaks to each one of us calling us to live and live more deeply and purposefully.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Zalman Marcus
P.s. We were sent home before lunch. G-d bless America. I love jury duty but 5 hours was more then enough.
Amberlee wrote...