Message from the President, December 2018

It is that time of the year again.  Many of you can identify with me when I say, “Time is fleeting.”  It seems like it wasn’t long ago when I was storing my Christmas decorations from the past holiday season.

If you recall, we presented a Fall CLE entitled “Using Mindfulness to Improve Your Legal Practice.”  The concept is based on the idea that we should develop an awareness of our thoughts and emotions, even in highly pressured situations.  In addition to an awareness, we should make efforts to control and focus our thoughts in order to manage stress and live healthier lives.  Many of us have ample opportunities to be consumed with thoughts about legal issues, litigants, family, or other personal matters.  If we aren’t careful, worries of the day can cause insomnia or anxiety, which can trigger many health-related conditions.

This topic is relevant because the holidays tend to cause a great deal of stress for the average person.  If is not purchasing the perfect gift, it may be dealing with difficult relatives or being in an environment with a person with whom you have a strained relationship.

I hope we all will consider engaging in relaxing activities, meditation or other mechanisms to decompress from the pressures and stress of the holidays.  As most of you know, this will be my first Christmas without my late husband.  I am sure it will be difficult.  However, I plan to focus on the gift of family and friends.  More importantly, I plan to give the gift of friendship and love to the people in my life.  I have learned over the past fifty plus years of life, that it is more blessed to give than to receive.  It warms my heart that, during this meeting year, our organization will: gift books to elementary students for Christmas; gift a clean record to defendants with records that have experienced difficulty gaining employment and/or being self-sufficient; gift meals to individuals at the Potter’s House; and provide many other opportunities to share in the gift of service to others.

Lastly, I invite you all to attend our annual Christmas party on December 12, 2018, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM, at Elon Law School.  Join us as we come together for a festive time filled with familiar tunes, delectable treats and spiritous drinks.