J. Davy Crockett III

It seems that when opportunity knocks, many don’t recognize it, because it is disguised as work. Some think that opportunity is actually “luck.” Yet, this “luck” seems to follow those who work hard, fulfilling their obligations and commitments. With the workplace in transition because of modern methods, new technology, and changing markets, many fail to keep up with the changing times in their field and are left behind, missing opportunities. Change is relentless, and a willingness to adapt and constantly learn and train is required.

Enemies abound! Or so it seems. Some people make enemies because of their demeanor. Political parties consider each other enemies as they vie for power. Court dockets are full of cases of disputes that individuals cannot or will not resolve on their own.

The ruins of an ancient wall built in 122 AD at the northern boundary of Britannia are still clearly visible. Emperor Hadrian built the wall for border control against the barbarians in this remote part of the Roman Empire. Was it successful in fulfilling its purpose? Only temporarily; the empire eventually collapsed, and the northern tribes poured over the wall.

Becoming dissatisfied with our circumstances starts early in many people. Even children, rather than being thankful, will sometimes grouse about the things provided for them. There is a story of a little boy from a time when children in small rural schools would bring their lunch from home in lunch boxes, lunch bags, or a pail that might have originally been a syrup bucket. This youngster was not happy with what his mother sent for his school lunch. He sullenly thought, “It’s just not enough and I don’t like it any way.”

As a student at Southern Arkansas University in 1959, I enrolled in a course in criminology—not because of any particular interest in the subject, but because it included field trips to prisons, which was more interesting than classroom work. We visited two state prisons and one federal penitentiary. At that time, “Death Row” was located at the Tucker unit of the Arkansas Department of Correction in Jefferson County. As we toured the facility, we came to the execution chamber—a stark, bare room with a rough-hewn, high backed, heavy oak chair known as “Old Sparky.”