Get Down With Your Bad Self

You know how "they" always like to say things like, "Well, things are never black and white, my dear" and you cringe because it is so cliche? Well, it's true. And as much as I hate to admit it, we'd probably all do better to remember the world works in various shades of gray.

We are all tempted to parcel everything out - you to the "good" column, you over here to the "evil." No exceptions, no negotiations. Right vs. wrong, positive or negative, everything has its place and a place for everything. I suppose some succeed in their own minds at this impossible task, though in reality, it's simply inconceivable to look at the world this way.

For the past five years or so, I've been involved in the court system. More specifically, I work with the criminals. Some of that time, I worked putting them away. Other times I helped spring them free. Now, I sit squarely in the middle, striving only to help when I can and taking no firm position. Yes, most would think the criminal courts provide some vindication because if you commit a crime, you're bad, right?

Except not always. And it's frustrating (and only somewhat depressing) to see horrible judgement calls from otherwise quite likable folks. These people are often a lot like me and even you - and are certainly similar to scores of people I have known in my life, except they've been caught in their crimes while other criminals roam free, untouched.

Sometimes luck is the only thing standing between prison and freedom. It certainly doesn't stand up to reason that everyone on the street is living a crime-free life. In fact, most people in your own day-to-day routine are guilty of a crime for which they have legally skated by any consequence.

Because having not been arrested does not mean you are automatically a stand-up citizen. And doing a bad thing does not always make you an overall bad person.

Sometimes, I wish it did. It would make my job a whole lot easier on the soul.