Mindfulness practices are not just about calming the mind. They are also about opening the heart. Lawyers deal with stress, conflict, and suffering on a regular basis. It only makes sense for us to have tools to care for suffering, both our own and that of others, to do our jobs while living happy lives. These posts showcase and explore all that compassion practices, like loving-kindness, tonglen, and RAIN, offer to lawyers professionals.
Is Compassion for Others Different from Self-Compassion?
I spent a lot of time this summer thinking and writing about compassion. For much of the summer, I was writing my forthcoming book on mindfulness and compassion for lawyers (more details on that to follow). I also completed the Compassion Educator Certification course with the Compassion Education Alliance. In the midst of all thisContinue reading “Is Compassion for Others Different from Self-Compassion?”
Resolutions Schmesolutions: In January I Just Begin Again
I used to have a love hate relationship with the New Year. In mid-December I’d start daydreaming about all the big changes I was going to make in January. I would feel hopeful – excited even – for the possibility of a fresh start. New exercise routine! Healthy eating! Plenty of water! I’m going toContinue reading “Resolutions Schmesolutions: In January I Just Begin Again”
Which Compassion Cultivation Course Is Best for Lawyers?
Though the studies demonstrating the benefit of compassion practices are no less compelling than those relating to mindfulness, I find that lawyers and professionals are far less familiar with compassion than mindfulness. Perhaps this is because, for cultural reasons, lawyers are more comfortable with the idea of mental focus than they are anything to doContinue reading “Which Compassion Cultivation Course Is Best for Lawyers?”
Why Cultivate Compassion? Because It’s Not the Weight You Carry but How You Carry It.
Founder’s Note: I found Laura where I found a lot of other wonderful people I have never met in person: LinkedIn. She posted great content about compassion and so I connected with her. When she offered a CCT course this spring, I signed up even though it ended the week after I finished Mindful Self-CompassionContinue reading “Why Cultivate Compassion? Because It’s Not the Weight You Carry but How You Carry It.”
Why Lawyers Should Prioritize Joy and Practices to Help Them Start
I admit it. The word “joy” used to make me cringe a little bit inside. For a while, it was plastered on the walls of so many homes along with signs reading “Live. Laugh. Love.” and showed up in the titles of countless self-help books. The frequency with which I saw that term used, oftenContinue reading “Why Lawyers Should Prioritize Joy and Practices to Help Them Start”
Why You Should Add Self-Compassion to Your List of New Years Resolutions
This blog post was originally published for MothersEsquire in 2020. A year later it still resonates so I edited it slightly to update and have republished here. I know you are ready to go. It’s a new year, and after a year like 2020, you are ready to make 2021 your year. Your resolutions areContinue reading “Why You Should Add Self-Compassion to Your List of New Years Resolutions”