Thursday October 4, 2012 was my birthday. I was 39 for the 4th time. Yes, that means I was 43. For many years I have used my birthday to reflect on what has happened in the preceding year and where I want to go in the upcoming year. Many years I was very critical of myself and would set very definitive goals for the next year of my life. This year I did something different. I made a list of what I had done or experienced during my 42d year on the earth that I am grateful for. My list includes the following:
-My relationship with my husband which grows and deepens yearly. Will will be married fifteen (15) years on October 11th
-My mother and father for the strength and stubbornness they bestowed upon me.
-My health both mental and physical and my health care providers.
-My law practice and the relationships with my clients which sustain me on the tough days.
-My co-worker friends they share the ups and downs of being a lawyer on a day-to-day basis.
-The Cincinnati Bar Association and their commitment to lawyer health and well-being.
-The members of the Health and Well Being Committee their willingness to help, to brainstorm and their commitment to helping others is amazing.
-Betsy Jameson, her friendship, her gift to other lawyers through the Kenneth Jameson Health and Well-being fund and her support.
-Meeting new people who are interested in helping the mentally ill and their families.
-For new friends and old friends, who have been with me on life’s journey and for finding and maintaining friendships with all types of people.
-For mindfulness and meditation and all the peace of mind which comes along with that.
My plans for this year of my life are much simpler than they used to be. I want to live each day in a mindful manner, I want experience each thing or event that happens be it good or bad as a part of my journey in life. I want to advance the Committee work of the Health and Well-being Committee. At work, I want to do all I can with what I have, in the time that have, in the place where I am and then go home and get up and do it again the next day.
And finally, for the next year, I plan to post each Friday a summary of the things about life and work that happened each week for which I am grateful.
Balancing the Bar 