EAT, PRAY, LOVE resonated and is still resonating - at least the book version of this search for self - because most of us are in bad shape. That applies to both sexes, not only women. And it applies to all professions, probably lawyers especially.
We might have had a sense of self before the world began changing around 9/11 and hasn't stopped since. But we were in the minority. Most of the middle-class and upper-middle-class were not allowed to complete this fundamental task of development. It could have gotten in the way of the compliance necessary to do what was required to have our ticket punched for success. Think all the mind-reading of professors in order to do well in courses.
Those who did have that sense of self likely have seen it shot through with holes of self-doubt, panic, and even thoughts of suicide. Therefore they may have to go in search of a self, just like the rest of us professional messes.
Although every profession has been hit hard by the Black Swans, law has actually been pulled into The Perfect Storm. Not one aspect of it has been spared the winds of change.
So, who in law will put together the EAT, PRAY, LOVE which lawyers, former lawyers, those who should be former lawyers, and law students can make use of? There are so many possibilities, ranging from former lawyer and now head writer of Abovethelaw.com Elie Mystal to lawyer's lawyer but steeped in working-class ethos Adler Pollock & Sheehan's John Tarantino. Perhaps the ABA can run a contest for the best artistic rendering of this theme - open to all legal eagles and in all media: print, digital, video, audio, and in-person.
Comments