Vol. 29, No. 5 #1 (October 2006). Balancing on a Tightrope.

• Author: By Mark W Harris

Wyoming Bar Journal

2006.

Vol. 29, No. 5 #1 (October 2006).

Balancing on a Tightrope

WYOMING LAWYEROctober 2006/Vol. 29, No. 5Balancing on a TightropeBy Mark W Harris

I'm up on the tightwire One side's ice and one is fire

It's a circus game with you and me

I'm up on the tightrope

One side's hate and one is hope

but the tophat on my head is all you see

and the wire seems to be the only place for me a comedy of errors

and I'm falling

Leon Russell - Tightrope

Where are Donna Reed and Ward Cleaver when we need them? Donna and Ward had absolutely no problem balancing family, career and the whole world. Obviously, Leon Russell was not a disciple of Donna and Ward. Perhaps he more accurately described the struggle we all have with balancing the time demands of the profession, the need for a quality relationship with the significant others and family in our lives and the need to just be alone. Other than to revisit the exciting days of television yester year, what can we do to avoid becoming a comedy of errors and falling - or more importantly, becoming imbalanced.

I have to admit, I was somewhat surprised when I was contacted by the Editor and asked to contribute an article for the Wyoming Lawyer. Dispensing advice or wisdom on the perfect balance of work and family and social life admittedly is not an area in which I have any definite advantage or knowledge of. Now, if you want to talk about golf, hockey or NASCAR, I would feel a bit more comfortable. However, knowing a commitment was made and relied on, I am duty bound to do my best. A bit of forewarning: my experiences are just those - experiences. My words or wisdom have no guarantee of success.

So, what are you going to do? You practice law. You have a relationship with a person that is very significant in your life. You may have a child or children, or grandchildren. You probably want to have some type of relationship with your co-workers outside the confines of the office in which you live. Now what do you do if you want to spend time with friends or pursue some type of recreation? What if you decide to attempt a second career or enter public service on what is supposed to be a part-time basis? You truly are on the tightrope, but you may be able to avoid the ice and fire, keep your balance and not fall.

First, we can start with "us" the lawyers. In my...