Ten Recommendations for Becoming a Healthy, Happy and Whole Lawyer

1) I will meditate every day before or after work. During meditation I will give thanks for all the blessings in my life, and I will set a clear intention for each new day. If a family member or friend is sick, I will say a healing prayer for him.

2) During my workday I will not be ceaselessly busy. I will make time to breathe deeply, become calm and allow my mind to slow down. I will invite self-reflection rather than operate mindlessly on automatic pilot. I will ask myself if I am meeting my intention for the day.

3) I will exercise every day rain or shine, even if all I do is take a walk.

4) I will do at least one act of kindness every day for a stranger. I will strive to be kind at all times to my family, friends and staff. If I feel myself getting irritated, annoyed or angry, I will excuse myself and take some time to breath, feel what is going on inside me and reflect upon a course of action that will not wound.

5) I will take good care of myself. I will eat nourishing foods that maintain my body and brain in the highest state of health. I will play with my kids or grandkids. I will invite more laughter into my life by seeing funny movies or spending time with friends who make me laugh. I will be loving, affectionate and intimate with my spouse or partner, and if we have lost our intimacy, I will take positive steps to bring it back to life. I will get 7-8 hours of sleep each night. I will not drink alcohol to excess. I will not smoke. I will not take drugs because I am unhappy with myself, my work or my relationships. I will only take drugs for a medical condition.

6) I will not be a loner who keeps all the stresses and worries of his law practice to himself. I will spend more time with family and friends. I will be an active part of a community that offers all of its members social support. I will seek to build relationships with others that involve mutual trust and respect, good rapport and open, honest communication for our mutual benefit.

7) I will not engage in conduct towards others in litigation that I know is unethical, abusive, shocking or shameful even if I am ordered or expected to do so by a boss or supervisor.

8) I will not dehumanize opposing counsel or seek to defeat him in a humiliating way. Rather than see him as an enemy, I will treat him as a co-equal human being with a different point of view, someone with whom I can work in a positive and constructive spirit to resolve our clients’ dispute.

9) I will treat opposing counsel and his client with the same degree of courtesy, politeness and respect that I want for myself.

10) If I become alcoholic, depressed or suicidal I will let my family and trusted friends know and I will seek professional help rather than deny my experience and avoid help.