Something specific resonated with me and even today I find myself playing it back in my mind. In the prosecutor's closing statements he told the jury that each piece of evidence in and of itself would be meaningless to us. On it's own it would prove nothing. But it would be the layering of many pieces of evidence that, he felt, would ultimately lead us to convict.
A preponderance of evidence.
The concept played a huge role in our decision as a jury. A man's fate (at least for the next 2 to 10 years) was determined based upon a preponderance of the evidence. That's heavy. And as I was thinking about that today something hit me like a ton of bricks...
Each time I want to make a poor choice regarding the care of my body, I put that choice in a bubble. I tell myself it's okay; just this once. But my choices don't live in bubbles.
I submit to you that each decision we make in the minutes and seconds of our lives will not, in and of themsleves, determine who we are. Alone, encapsulated in the moment at which the decision is made, it seems irrelevant...unimportant. But it is the layering and building of many decisions over the years, months, weeks, days, minutes and yes, even seconds of our lives that will ultimately determine who we are.
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8 comments:
I needed to read this post today :) How very true, indeed.
Wonderful insight, Keelie. Thank you for these thoughts. I think that, in general, people (including me!) tend to make all of our decisions in bubbles and don't take time to contemplate the domino effect they may have. I will have to be more careful for myself and for the sake of everything and everyone around me.
A very insightful post and I am not surprised an experience onjury duty produced it. I've only served jury duty once, nearly 20 years ago now. But it was extrememly rewarding and I recall it fondly too. There too came together to decide that it was the sum of all evidence that influenced our final decision.
Lucky you for having this experience.
This is such a great post - and such a good thought to keep! One cookie or one skipped workout or one extra serving of super cheesy lasagne won't make a big difference. Neither will one big salad or one extra 30 minute workout or one bottle of water. But each one thing adds to the next and does eventually make a big difference.
I'm glad you had such a great experience at jury duty and thanks so much for sharing it!
I really appreciate this post! I honestly forget that choices don't live in bubbles. It's such a great way of putting it in perspective and I needed to be reminded!!
Now this. This is why I come here and read.
Seriously just got chills. SOOO true. You put this into words wonderfully!
Thoughts worth pondering that are beautifully written. Thank you.
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