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In my last blog post, I spoke of a trip to Washington, DC and the various memorials that attest to the grand vision and immense sacrifice of so many to secure the blessings of liberty that most people in this world do not get to experience. Today, I wish to highlight the timeless words of Abraham Lincoln on display at The Lincoln Memorial, which capture his transcendent mindset. While this blog post is not directly related to legal matters, I do believe that if every litigant reflected on the true meaning of its words, many disputes would be resolved in a few hours. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation, so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. After reading these words, does this change your perspective on any pending battle you’re currently fighting in your life?
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In Client Goals 1: How to Avoid Aimless Drifting, I spoke of the need for having a clear goal in all your legal endeavors. In this blog post, I will focus on the need for having a clear and meaningful goal that is worthy of your time and energy – that supports your life/business. Too often clients and their lawyers lose sight of the big picture and end up wasting a tremendous amount of time and money. In additional to my legal and mediation practice, I have carved out time to be involved with an NGO that focusses on global issues. A few years ago, I was in Washington, DC at a conference that focused in large part on Iranian efforts to develop a nuclear weapon and global efforts to prevent that from happening. I was impressed to see how many people dedicate a good portion of their days focusing on truly making a difference in the world. Notwithstanding, and perhaps because of, the dysfunction that often plagues Washington DC, I find it important, inspiring and uplifting to visit our nation’s capital. The various memorials attest to the grand vision and immense sacrifice of so many to secure the blessings of liberty that most people in this world do not get to experience and for which we must not take for granted. Immediately after the conference ended, I walked to the Jefferson Memorial and read Jefferson’s inspiring words as follows: We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, that to secure these rights governments are instituted among men. We . . . solemnly publish and declare, that these colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent states. . . And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor. Jefferson and the other founders of our Nation were able to bring forth their vision because they took the time to reflect on their greater purpose and aligned their actions with that purpose. Similarly, it is important to take a break every now and then to align our business and legal objectives with our own greater perspective on what really matters to us. When you find yourself enmeshed or about to get enmeshed in a litigation, or you are about to buy or sell a business, take a step back: Ask yourself if what you are about to do will enhance your life. If you realize it will not, explore the most efficient way of extricating yourself from the situation. |
AuthorA Full Service Business Law Firm. Based on the award winning Legal Sanity Principals developed and honed by Arnie Herz over the past 25+ years. Archives
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