Avoiding Trouble

Trouble been doggin' my soul since the day I was born. - Ray Lamontagne

Hot Water, thin ice, pickle, grief, dilemma, bother, bind, hindrance; call it what you want, just don’t call it often. We've all been in trouble at one time or another, some of us more than others.

There’s nothing worse than being in trouble. Most of us learn from our mistakes and do our best to avoid it. We warn each other, Here comes Trouble, Sounds like Trouble, There goes Trouble, We apologize for it, Hate to trouble you...Not to be of trouble....I don’t mean to trouble you, and sometimes we use it as a threat, You’re looking for trouble.....You’ll be in trouble....If it’s trouble you’re looking for, you found it! Overall it’s safe to say that most law abiding people do not want, look for, or invite trouble into their lives, but for some, trouble finds them.

As children, we learn from an early age that trouble equals bad, we should look to stay out of it. We also find that being good is no fun at all, hence the reinforcements. Parents use trouble suppressors such as Santa Clause as incentives for good behavior. The all seeing eye in the sky who will not leave gifts for those trouble making kids. This works during Christmas but fades fast come January.

Punishment is used to keep us out of trouble. Misbehave in school? Grounded. Didn't do your chores? Grounded. This continues on until adulthood when the stakes are higher. At this juncture your parents have done all they can do, hopefully they have done enough to dissuade you from trouble and its troubling consequences. Some of us aren't afforded these benefits growing up and will be housed behind troublesome bars with others in the same predicament.

But for most of us these early lessons stick and we go on to abide by the laws and rules of society, never causing too much trouble. We may even get a job as a troubleshooter. Here we diagnose and find causes of trouble and work to rid ourselves from it. From time to time we still find ourselves in some sorts of trouble, perhaps calling into work sick and then running into our boss wearing golf shoes, but this kind of trouble can usually be remedied with a warning.

Nobody wants trouble on the home front, but sometimes it finds us nonetheless. Coming home in the wee hours of the night after poker with the guys will find you some trouble. Like they say, you will only find trouble after 2 am. Or is it 3? Regardless, usually a night on the couch and an apology/begging will fix this, unless you become a repeat offender and lawyers get involved. Then you have double trouble.

On the road we must avoid trouble, whether it be another car causing trouble or our own carelessness. We must obey the traffic lights and signs in order to stay out of harm’s way. Getting a speeding ticket can mean financial trouble. A fine and an increase in insurance premiums, but usually nothing too major.

But then there’s big trouble. You don’t want that. Big trouble comes with consequences and harsh penalties. Those in big trouble often find ourselves in a courtroom. There is no question who is in trouble once inside. Orange jumpsuits identify the troublemakers, and shackles and chains confirm this for anyone still confused. The judge wears a robe and usually has a troubling scowl on his face for good measure. This guy is no Santa Clause, his only gifts will be stern lectures and advice. If he’s in a good mood, he may hand down lenient sentence involving fines and community service, if not, get used to the jump suit.

This leads us to the big house and here you will find nothing but trouble. If found guilty, for your troubles you will be housed with others who have not been successful at staying out of trouble. Here you are guarded at all times with men carrying large guns to ensure there will be no further trouble. If all goes well, you will get another chance after being let out for good behavior.

In the end, trouble has a way of finding all of us. A few will experience trouble throughout their lives though no fault of their own. Some take it upon themselves to find trouble, seeking its ups and running from its downs until it ultimately catches up with them. Others like myself have had a few brushes have learned that the best way to stay out of trouble is to stay away from those who cause it, because trouble loves company