Back to My Practice: Thank You (falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)
| Publication year | 2009 |
| Pages | 5 |
2009, June, Pg. 5. Back to My Practice: Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)
June 2009
Vol. 38, No. 6 [Page 5]
At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person.Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.
Albert Schweitzer, Nobel Laureate
I must confess that I thought my final President's Message would involve a topic that would be fairly easy to put together. After all, how difficult could it be to write about those two little words of gratitude--"thank you"?
However, as we often find in the practice of law, that which seems simple on the surface often presents myriad challenges. A basic research project that first appears to be about finding the appropriate statute suddenly blossoms into a whirlwind tour of case law and secondary sources. Most of us relish those opportunities, and we come away realizing why we became lawyers. Sometimes, the frustration of the project grabs hold of us and we wish there were a simple way out of the forest.
I'm not sure where this message falls. It certainly took more time and thought than I expected, but it also brought me face-to-face with a subject about which I thought little would have been written or said. How wrong I was.
My basic concept was to remind each of us of the importance and power of the words "thank you."(fn1) At last fall's admission ceremony for approximately 700 newly licensed attorneys, I suggested that each of the new attorneys think about all the people who helped them along their journey. My advice was simply this: Think of three individuals (for example, parent, teacher, friend) who brought you to this milestone. Consider what they did by way of thought, deed, or example to support you in your quest. Then--and this is the hard part--sit down and compose a letter to that person. If necessary, take the time to draft the letter and revise it until you capture your thoughts. Hand-deliver the letter, if possible; if that's not possible, mail it with a thoughtful stamp.
I don't know how many in the audience acted on this advice, but such an act should be considered throughout our busy lives. In fact, I extend the same challenge to each of you who is reading this message, regardless of your career stage. I can tell you, it is not an easy challenge to take on. Selecting the individuals, then actually finding and making the time to compose the message to each person, requires tremendous discipline and contemplation. Nevertheless, I would suggest that such a simple act places you in good company.
We likely remember the parental admonition to "use the...
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