On this Thanksgiving holiday, I decided to write about what aspects of being a lawyer for which I was thankful. Because we can fall victim to the grind, and the grind will always threaten to pop any sort of red balloon we may be toting in celebration of our work or the practice of law. So, where to start? With some “research” of course! I Googled that shit…

            Low and behold this question has been asked of the internet before and I saw some interesting responses from attorneys across the nation. Most, altruistically, wrote about that once in a while great feeling that attorneys get when they actually help a client get into a better place. One attorney wrote about helping a fledgling business owner achieve their dreams from the very beginnings of founding their business to the day where the business owner sold that business for a profit. Much of what I read about from personal accounts was that feeling of accomplishment that occurred when they were successful in whatever legal endeavor with which they were tasked.

            The recent holiday of Thanksgiving was not the only reason I sought to write about giving thanks this week. Last week, I wrote about treating oneself when one has a legal victory, or some practice centered goal reached. I took my own advice but found that my thoughts were fleeting. I felt that I couldn’t savor those good feelings of reaching my goal because I had to get back to work and tackle the next legal mountain. I felt like I couldn’t stop long enough to truly appreciate and give gratitude for what I had accomplished and those who had helped and encouraged me along the way. It’s the habitual hustle of the busy lawyer’s life that makes times of stopping and giving thanks all the more important and vital.

            So, what do you give thanks for as a practitioner? Let’s stop and think about this one for longer than a spell. Then give gratitude for the multitude of answers that we may all give.

*Image Credit:  93562524 © creativecommonsstockphotos | Dreamstime.com