Get A Life
Finding Higher Ground in the Law by Paula A. Franzese
Mindful of the significant malaise felt by many practitioners, the following principles offer guidance and hope for the restoration of our craft and ourselves.
First, take the time to remember what you stand for and what you want. Why did you choose the law, and what is it that you intended to achieve as a consequence? What kind of an impact are you now having? What kind of an impact do you want to have? Our lives are shaped most not by what we take with us, but by what we leave behind. When all is said and done, how
would you want to be remembered? What will you have left behind?
Aim high. Dream big. In the best of all worlds, drawing upon the promise of our profession and the unique contributions that only you can make, what would you be doing? Be governed by your admirations rather than your disgusts. Endeavor to take the larger, higher view. For guidance, think back to when you were a child and believed that you were born for something special. All those years ago, you were right. Recapture that promise. Remember who you are.
Do all with dignity and love. No matter where you have started, no matter what you are doing now, do it with dignity and love. Rather than focus on what is missing from your life, take stock of all that you do have. The surest way to ensure prosperity is to dwell with gratitude on the good in your life. Know that regardless of how humble or modest your circumstances are at this time, there are countless people out there who wish that they could be in your shoes, but who will never get the chance.
Free yourself from fear of rejection. Take risks. In the process, decide that you are not going to allow anyone else's limiting thoughts or judgments to shape your life. Do not empower the naysayers, the negative beliefs, or the self-doubts. Never allow your partnership with anyone or anything to silence your voice, or keep you from assisting another person in using his or hers. It has been said that no one can make you feel inferior without your consent. Give no one else permission to set your limits or chart your path. You deserve to be happy. If you are miserable where you are, move on. Follow your heart, trust your intuition, and explore the possibilities. In the process, embrace the rejections that inevitably will come your way. If no one is rejecting you, you are living too small. And keep in mind that the one thousand no's will melt away in the face of that one yes.
Remember that it is all about service. To know that one life has breathed easier because you have lived-let that be the standard and the goal. As lawyers, we are not automatons, technicians, or hired guns. To separate virtue from our professional pursuits puts us in danger of losing our very souls. Service, compassion, and commitment to the community should count for more than hours billed or hourly rate when we gauge each other's measure.
Reject the appearance of limitation and those messages of excuse, such as "I don't have enough money or enough time or enough energy," or "Hours devoted to pro bono work won't count." Shift your mind set, so that instead of asking "What's in it for me?" you ask "How can I help?" When you combine your abilities with service to humanity, the rewards will come. Paula A. Franzese is Professor of Law at Seton Hall Law School and author of Throw Your Fears Out the Window: A Book on Wisdom, Inspiration and Guidance for Law Students and Lawyers (Donnelly & Sons, 1997).
