As this 12 months attracts to a detailed, I discover myself reflecting as soon as once more, however this time, the reflection feels heavier, deeper, and extra pressing. Final 12 months, I wrote about studying to pause, to be current, to step away from the relentless have to be busy.
This 12 months has taught me one thing equally necessary: what we do issues. Not within the résumé sense. Not within the “have a look at how a lot I completed” sense. It issues as a result of our actions depart ripples. Our presence leaves marks. The alternatives we make, even the quiet ones, have influence.
This lesson didn’t come simply.
In January, I misplaced a detailed buddy and colleague. She was 38. She was far too younger. She was far too good. She was far too energetic and goal to be gone so quickly. She was the form of one that believed fiercely in relationships, connection, group, and in supporting the underdog each probability she acquired. She by no means hesitated to raise somebody up, to talk up for what was proper, or to provide somebody the good thing about the doubt when the world was too able to dismiss them.
Shedding her made me ask myself: What am I doing with the time I’ve? How am I displaying up for others? What influence do I need to depart?
This 12 months, I attempted to honor her by residing the values she embodied.
- I mentored college students who have been not sure of themselves, however full of potential.
- I taught regulation faculty and poured into my college students, not simply doctrine, however perception in themselves, perception within the career we’re nonetheless making an attempt to form.
- I confirmed up for individuals who wanted area, silence, or just somebody to take a seat with them with out judgment.
- I leaned into the exhausting moments, doing what was proper even when it was uncomfortable or inconvenient.
- I challenged folks (gently, actually) to be one of the best model of themselves as a result of she all the time challenged me to be mine.
And what have I gotten in return?
A lot greater than I ever anticipated.
I’ve realized about folks’s tales and the struggles they carry quietly. I’ve realized about resilience. I’ve realized about how a lot a small act (a dialog, a check-in, a chance) can imply to somebody who wanted it greater than you realized.
Most of all, I’ve realized how fortunate I’m. And for that, I proceed to be grateful.
As a result of right here is the reality I saved relearning this 12 months: gratitude grows if you give it away. Paying it ahead isn’t nearly serving to others; it’s about increasing your personal understanding of the world. It deepens your empathy. It sharpens your perspective. It reminds you, particularly in a career that rewards busyness and ego, that your actual legacy isn’t present in your output.
It’s present in your influence.
This 12 months wasn’t about doing much less, like final 12 months. It was about doing extra of what issues, extra of what leaves folks higher than you discovered them, extra of what displays who you need to be when nobody is protecting rating.
And once more, the authorized career doesn’t all the time make that simple. We’re taught to maneuver quick, to compartmentalize, to win, to carry out, however slowing down final 12 months made area for different issues this 12 months. Goal.
Intention. Service. Connection.
I’m grateful for the scholars who trusted me sufficient to let me information them.
I’m grateful for individuals who allowed me to step into their lives throughout troublesome seasons.
I’m grateful for the quiet moments that jogged my memory of what, and who, actually issues.
I’m grateful for the prospect to hold ahead the spirit of somebody who taught me a lot just by how she lived.
And I’m grateful for the reminder that life is fragile, fleeting, and much too quick to waste on issues that don’t construct others up.
We don’t get to regulate how a lot time we’ve, however we do get to regulate how we use it and who we change into due to it.
This 12 months, I selected gratitude. I selected presence. I selected influence. I selected to pay it ahead.
For this, and for all the teachings that got here wrapped in each pleasure and grief-
I’m, nonetheless, deeply grateful.
Lisa Lang is an completed in-house lawyer and thought chief devoted to empowering fellow authorized professionals. She presents insights and assets tailor-made for in-house counsel via her web site and weblog, Why This, Not That™ (www.lawyerlisalang.com). Lisa actively engages with the authorized group by way of LinkedIn, sharing her experience and fostering significant connections. You may attain her at [email protected], join on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawyerlisalang/).
