Since the official theme of this month’s Bar Bulletin is “Fun,” I will join most of the other authors and reserve addressing the more serious issues facing our Association and profession until later publications.
I recognize that some may believe this decision may indicate a lack of engagement or activity by the new KCBA Board but, rest assured, that is not the case. Since July 1, when our new year began, the long list of serious and sometimes complicated and controversial issues we are addressing has continued to expand. Moreover, our Board’s recent retreat was intense, inspiring, invigorating and, admittedly, fun.
But the fact is, in the beautiful Pacific Northwest we call home, the sun is shining (usually), our kids are out of school, the office dress codes have become a bit more relaxed and life is kicking into slower gear. So, indulge me this one time as we all take a break and consider the issues of happiness, serenity, fulfillment and fun, both in our work and non-work lives.
In a movie I recently enjoyed, an overworked medical doctor provided the following advice to a colleague: “On your day off, go as far away from here as you can and find that place more like you than any other place on Earth.” “That place” might be a physical refuge like your child’s flower or vegetable garden, a Cougar Mountain hiking trail, a hot air balloon ride or a remote weekend getaway. “That place” also might be a state of mind, inspired by a favorite author, composer, artist, theatrical production or meditation mantra.
But does experiencing “that place” always require an escape from work life, whether it be wage-paying or not? Is it possible to integrate “that place” in some way into the precious hours we spend every day interacting with fellow lawyers, judges, court personnel, staff, colleagues and clients, or performing the repetitious chores required around our homes and for our families?
It is old news that, overall, lawyers and their families do not fare well compared to other professionals and the general community when answering questions that are one step removed from the Maslow hierarchy’s most fundamental needs: food, clothing and shelter. Those questions include: “Are you and your loved ones happy? Healthy? Fulfilled? Balanced?”
As a profession, we have been aware of our disappointing answers to these questions for at least a couple of decades. In 1988, a groundbreaking survey by the Maryland State Bar Association revealed that a third of those questioned would not become lawyers again if given another opportunity and another third were considering leaving the profession. Soon afterward, a North Carolina Bar Association membership survey revealed that approximately one in four lawyers suffered from depression and one in 10 contemplated suicide. In 1990, a survey of our state bar’s membership revealed that one in five lawyers suffered from problem drinking and one in five struggled with depression.
In response to these and other studies about the psychological and physical well being of many lawyers and their families, bar associations, related organizations and law schools around the country have developed effective lawyer assistance programs, support groups and other educational forums. Thousands in our profession have attended these programs and have taken constructive steps to increase personal gratification in their careers and lives. Notably, those entering our profession are increasingly articulating the importance of personal satisfaction, “balance” and family time, as men and women share home and career opportunities and demands, more so than at any other time in our country’s history.
I have often wished that there was a cookie-cutter answer to the question of what is happiness, satisfaction, serenity or fulfillment. What I have come to realize, though, is that my blueprint in this regard has been etched with a unique formula since the moment of my birth. Therefore, my personal challenge is to continually go to “that place,” experience a fraction of the formula and bring as much of it as possible back into my everyday life.
As lawyers, we are some of the most effective problem solvers in the world. We owe it to ourselves, individually and collectively, to use those skills to solve problematic lifestyle issues to ensure that we and the next generation enjoy an even deeper level of health, happiness and satisfaction in our professional and personal lives.
Now, take a deep breath, plan a trip to “that place” and enjoy the beautiful summer months!
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Eileen M. Concannon is a principal at Riddell Williams P.S., specializing in commercial litigation, mediation and arbitration. For references or comments, please contact her at econcannon@riddellwilliams.com.
