| "Things may come to those who wait, but only the | | | | everyone say their name and what they do for a |
| things left by those who hustle."-Abraham Lincoln | | | | living." I am amazed-we're doing "Round Robin" |
| Eek. The dreadful Jury Duty Summons arrives in the | | | | (30-second commercial introduction) on jury duty! So |
| mail again. I'm all for the jury system, mind you, but | | | | when it was my turn, I said, "I'm Chellie Campbell and I |
| those of us who aren't on corporate payrolls don't get | | | | treat money disorders-spending bulimia and income |
| a paycheck during the time we serve. Oh, well, "one | | | | anorexia." There was a shout of laughter at that, and I |
| day or one trial" isn't so bad. I am ready to do my civic | | | | held up my book (always prepared for book |
| duty. I believe in our government and the | | | | promotion, I always have a copy of my book with me) |
| trial-by-jury-of-our-peers system. If a case of mine | | | | and said, "I'm also the author of the book 'The Wealthy |
| were being tried, wouldn't I want me to be on the jury? | | | | Spirit'". I sold five books! |
| My mood improved, I call in on the appointed day and | | | | Later that afternoon, my networking paid off again, |
| receive instructions to show up Monday. | | | | when one of the attorneys said that an attorney |
| I mentioned this to my family the day before at our | | | | named Lorraine was going to give testimony in the trial |
| family gathering for Mother's Day. My niece's new | | | | the next day. I know Lorraine from networking! I raised |
| mother-in-law, Kathleen, perked up and said, "You're | | | | my hand immediately; "Judge, I have a conflict. I know |
| going to be on jury duty this week? I'm going to give a | | | | one of the people giving testimony in this case." He |
| speech to the jury pool tomorrow at ten o'clock!" | | | | called me over to a sidebar, where I explained to him |
| What a coincidence! She works for the Superior Court | | | | and the attorneys that Lorraine is a friend of mine. |
| as the Managing Attorney for the Self-Help | | | | "How well do you know her?" he inquired. I said, "We |
| Management Project, and she told me that the coming | | | | were on the Board of Directors of National |
| week was "Jury Appreciation Week". (Wouldn't you | | | | Association of Women Business Owners for five |
| know that would be my week? We got free coffee | | | | years" (more networking paying off). When he inquired |
| and donuts, too. Hah!) | | | | if that would affect my judgment in the case, and I |
| So I drove to the Superior Courthouse downtown Los | | | | shrugged and said honestly, "I'm going to believe |
| Angeles at the wee hour of 7:00 am (if this is not a | | | | anything she says." He said, "You're excused." |
| wee hour to you, remember I work nights). I ate my | | | | I called Lorraine that afternoon to thank her for my |
| coffee and donut, listened to Kathleen's speech, and | | | | "Get-Out-Of-Jury-Duty-Free" card. We had a good |
| waited to be assigned to a jury panel. I looked around | | | | laugh over it, too! |
| to see if I recognized anybody in the room, and sure | | | | You never know when networking is going to pay off. |
| enough, there sat Amy Brennerman, star of the TV | | | | I've sold my book to telemarketers who called to sell |
| show "Judging Amy". They don't let anybody off any | | | | me something. I bought a ring watch off the internet, |
| more; even movie stars have to serve. | | | | and the seller wrote me a cheerful note, so I wrote her |
| Finally, I was selected for a panel, and the jury | | | | back and suggested she might enjoy my book. She |
| selection process began. This trial was about two | | | | emailed me an hour later: "Chellie, I just went in and |
| businessmen who had a contractual disagreement | | | | read a few of the pages on Amazon - WHAT A |
| over the purchase of an office building and we were | | | | GREAT BOOK!!!! I'm going to buy it and I think I'll get |
| told it would take two weeks. Two weeks?! Ouch! | | | | one for my son too - NO, I KNOW I'll get one for my |
| What happened to the one-day thing? I made a plea | | | | son too, lol. Thanks so much, Elaine, Glitz Galore." |
| that as a small business owner it's difficult to take that | | | | Now, isn't that fun? You never know what dolphins are |
| much time off, but the judge smiles and shakes his | | | | swimming out there unless you reach out and share a |
| head and says, "We really need you on this trial." | | | | bit of yourself along the way. Why not strike up a |
| Day Two: The jury selection process continued as the | | | | conversation today with someone new-you may be |
| attorneys questioned prospective jurors. Then the | | | | surprised what happens, but it'll be good! |
| judge said, "It would be nice for all of us to get to | | | | Today's Affirmation: "I love people and they love me |
| know each other. Let's go around the room and | | | | back! |