Like many of us after the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I experience a bit of a let-down. All of the busyness associated with the end of the year fades as we gear up to endure the long darkness and cold temperatures of the winter months. As I write this brief note, I am sitting at my desk and feeling both uncomfortable and at peace. I am uncomfortable because after the huge storm we encountered throughout the East Coast and clean up that followed, my telephone, television, and internet are out of order. A snow plow inadvertently cut my line. As a result, I feel somewhat isolated. At the same time, I am at peace because I have found a way to remedy this temporary inconvenience to communicate with my clients appropriately (cell phones are truly a blessing) and I am also enjoying a bit of a break from the rapid pace of modern life.
While I am generally not a fan of a huge drift of snow that impedes freedom of movement, I do appreciate its value. Snow also functions as a protective blanket to cover the earth to allow it to rest and prepare for a season of growth in the spring. So, too, can we learn from the winter season accept some of the tedium that may precede change. A whirlwind of activity by itself does not necessarily mean productivity.
In applying this lesson from nature, it is my hope to reflect thoughtfully instead of reacting immediately to any situation whether it pertains to my life or the concerns of my clients. While occasionally emergencies do arise in life and in legal work, as a general rule, I find that holding back and allowing some time to pass before acting often produces good results.