This reminds me that data must always have a context. This is true of a website analytics report, and it is also true of the data closest to us - our emotions. A strong emotional reaction is a trigger to remind us to stop and assess the context. It's most important to remember that external circumstance (or other people) cannot cause these reactions - it's a reflection of something going on internally.

Had I not stopped to think about why that blog post had so much more activity, and realized that I had linked it elsewhere, I might have put extra, unneeded focus on that topic. Similarly, if I don't stop and think when I feel outraged or wronged, I might not see the whole picture and react in a way that hurts myself and others.

We often create doubles of ourselves, when we adopt different personas for different areas of our lives. Then we're set with the task of trying to "balance" these different identities, when what we really need to do is integrate them. When we are not whole, parts of our lives are separated and it is difficult to make the decisions that best meet our needs and wants. We end up in a juggling act trying to keep each piece satisfied, perpetuating the schism and conflict.

Today, think of two conflicting goals you have set yourself. Look at the different parts of yourself that desires each goal. Then think about the commonalities each part has.

This process demonstrates a collaborative, creative problem-solving approach. Using the images from dreams and thoughts shared by others, we can see an issue from a different angle. We get insights we wouldn't have by using "rational" reasoning, which just might lead to that breakthrough we've been struggling to achieve.

Where have I been "stuck" trying to fix a problem? Can I let go of reasoning it through and be open to finding a creative solution?

I'll use this dream to demonstrate Lightning Dreamwork, a technique my teacher invented to share dreams in a fast and fun way: 

First, the dreamer tells the dream like a story.

Next, we ask how the dreamer felt on waking from the dream, as emotions are the Rosetta Stone for the dreamer (remember, emotions are data, showing us where to look). I felt excited and a sense of anticipation on waking.

The next step is to do a reality check - could this dream be literal in some way? What elements from the dream are familiar from waking life, and what events could play out in the future (even symbolically). I recognized some of the workshop participants, all lawyers I know. I am, of course, leading workshops for lawyers on a regular basis, but I had not considered such a craft exercise before.

The final question is to ask the dreamer what she wants to know about the dream - this will inform what we share with the dreamer. I want to know how the dream relates to the Legal Wellness Tour.

After the dreamer answers the questions, we share our thoughts with her, prefacing them with "If it were my dream," and keeping statements in the first person. (We don't want to impose our view on the dreamer. I facilitated Lightning Dreamwork with my mom and aunts one time, and one of them said, "If it were my dream, you should spend more time with your sisters!").

I'll share a thought with myself playing the other role - If it were my dream I might think about how my tools for lawyers resemble the children's craft supplies. Perhaps I need to keep it even simpler than I have planned.

So that's Lightning Dreamwork! There's one more step I'll share tomorrow, after you tell me your thoughts on the dream. You can share on Twitter (@legalwellness), on our Facebook page, or by email.

Today on Sesame Street, the theme is Seasons. We are in the deep of winter here in Boston, but soon we'll be heading out on Tour all across the U.S. Knowing that soon we'll (hopefully) be in 70+ degree weather makes these days of below-freezing weather easier to bear. I wouldn't want to live without seasons, but usually by mid-February I am ready for a break from the snow. As Shakespeare wrote,

Blow, blow, thou winter wind

Thou art not so unkind

As man's ingratitude

    The lawyer personality type (achievement-oriented, aggressive and competitive, preferring not to rely on social support structures) combined with law school training result in the interpersonal shortcomings identified by industry consultant David Maister (lack of trust, skepticism about values, professional detachment, and difficulty committing to decisions). Lawyers don't need to change who they are, or alter their basic make-up to enact change[.] In fact, it is likely that trying to reduce or eliminate the hard edges of the lawyer personality type could result in psychological harm, less effective lawyering, or both.

I'll be offering the Ten-Minute Tuneup to law firms in select cities on the Legal Wellness Tour. Email me to find out how to bring the program to your firm.

To return to the wellness parallels in this story, let's revisit why the carp are in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. In the 1960s, southern states had overgrowth of algae, and imported Asian carp, voracious eaters with no natural predators. The carp flourished and spread north through the rivers, and now a half century later threaten the Great Lakes ecosystem.

This reminds me of attempts we might make to make ourselves feel better, only to cause damage in the long run, and in perhaps unexpected ways. Then we need to turn to outside resources (like Michigan turning to the Supreme Court) to offer solutions.

How do I self-treat or self-medicate in ways that might be harmful to me?

This makes me think of how new tools can be really helpful to wellness, too. Sometimes we might want new information to improve or progress, when what we really need is to look at what we already have in a new way, just like the scientists re-examining the Martian asteroid. We might already have the answer we're seeking, but just don't have a way to uncover it.

Where have I been looking outside myself for answers? Can I look inside, maybe a different way, and see if I get new insight?

I'm eagerly anticipating sharing the 7 Purposes wellness model with lawyers all around the U.S. Thinking of all the different people I'll meet, and how they'll each have their own story and Purpose, and will be at different points in their paths, reaffirms that Practicing on Purpose is an essential part of my Higher Purpose.

In the blog post, he critiques the publication and scholarship interests (perhaps requirements) of professors as changing curriculum from common law to "sociology." While I disagree with his assertion that the Socratic method deserves a revival (and I don't recall his using it much in class, either), I agree with his statement that, "Professional schools need to strike a balance between book-learning and real-world experience."