In last Friday’s post, I shared my resolution to express gratitude more often in 2024. I included a link on how to do so that is not directly related to the legal profession. Today, I write to follow-up with a message from a lawyer regarding Friday’s column, as well as to share a link to a blog post on practicing gratitude by two attorneys who are among the leading voices on lawyer well-being.
Practicing gratitude can be difficult. Both as lawyers and in our personal lives, we often find ourselves in situations where it is hard to discern anything for which to be thankful.
But remember – you can do hard things
Indeed, one Vermont lawyer is practicing what I preached. Here’s the lawyer’s response to the thoughts I shared last week on gratitude:
- “I love the reminder about gratitude! I’ve been thinking about that topic myself. Lately, when I’m complaining about something in my head and notice I’m doing it, I stop complaining and think, ‘Thank you.’ I don’t yet know what I’m thankful for – I just say it. Then something pops into my head, usually a reverse of whatever I’ve been complaining about in my head. For example, I was grumpy about going to work recently, and I was thinking, ‘I don’t want to go deal with other people’s problems.’ I noticed the grumbling and then thought, ‘Thank you.’ Then, after I thought thank you, this popped into my head: ‘Thank you that I have a job that matters. Thank you that I can help people with things they really need. Thank you I get to serve my community.’ It sounds hokey, but it’s often quite effective.”
I love it! And it is NOT hokey! Indeed, when it comes to employing strategies to improve well-being, NOTHING that is effective is hokey.
Rebecca Howlett and Cynthia Sharp are lawyers who together founded The Legal Burnout Solution. Their website is a fantastic resource for material related to well-being in the legal profession. (Full disclosure: last September, Becky and Cindy had me as a guest on their podcast. It’s here.)
In December of 2022, the ABA Journal published The Legal Burnout Solution: How to Improve Well-Being Through Gratitude. In the article, Becky and Cindy provide an overview of the “several realms in which scientists have shown the correlation between a gratitude practice and positive outcomes on our physical and mental health.” They go on to provide tips on “cultivating gratitude.” I recommend reading the post and considering whether to take up (or maybe add to those you already employ) even one of the suggested practices. As Becky and Cindy conclude:
- “As you do these gratitude practices, notice how your body and mind feel and focus on feelings of appreciation and thankfulness for all the blessings and abundance in your life. Strive to take this feeling and state of being with you as you go on with your day or drift off to sleep. Even instituting one of these practices on a consistent basis can lead to significant, positive effects on your overall health and well-being.”
Might it be hard? Yes. But again, you can do hard things.
As always, let’s be careful out there.
PS: We’re almost up to 50 legal professionals who have taken The Well-Being Pledge. To join them, all you have to do is email me!
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