The Red Velvet Lawyer

Happier for Having Kept It For over three years, I have kept a gratitude journal at the suggestion of my entrepreneurial business coach, Christine Kane . Several researchers have found profound affect on emotional, psychological, and physical well-being associated with being grateful for all the wonderful things that come into our lives -- big and small. It enhances our social networks, personal relationships, and our careers. It enhances happiness overall.  I've noticed it helps me shift from being self-oriented to other-orientated,   The Harvard Medical School's Health Publications blog defines gratitude and then suggests ways we can cultivate it.  Note that the author suggests keeping a gratitude journal. Gratitude is a way for people to appreciate what they have instead of always reaching for something new in the hopes it will make them happier, or thinking they can't feel satisfied until every physical and material need is met. Gratitude helps people r...

Being a Thankful Lawyer, No Matter the Firm Size The Attorney at Work blog this week reminds us to "bloom where we are planted."  Each firm practice setting -- solo, small firm, and big firm -- offers practitioners many opportunities to be thankful. Blogger Merrilyn Astin Tarlton reminds us that: In a Solo Practice You can dress and decorate how you please. No one is going to question your choice of socks or hair color (what purple streak?) or office accessory — even if it’s a Pomeranian. It’s a simple matter to change your mind and do things differently for a while. You don’t have to be a systems engineer to know what’s going on. It’s all happening within arm’s reach. A person can get a little peace and quiet around there. You don’t have to wait for other people to make up their minds about how much money you can take home. Firm name? A no-brainer. You can run like the wind and stop on a dime. In a Small Firm You can say “Good morning” to every pers...