The State Bar Association of North Dakota Winter 2014 Gavel Magazine | Page 2

PRESIDENT’S
MESSAGE

Nancy J Morris
President, SBAND

My sister and I met last week in sunny
Mesa, Arizona, for a visit with my dad;
she from the dreary Northwest and me
from the frozen tundra (schools were
closed it was so cold!). It was a great
opportunity to connect, something our
busy lives often make difficult. While
sitting at the kitchen table talking, Sandy
received a Facebook message on her
phone, posing the question: What is the
secret to happiness? I was impressed
with her tech savvy (did I mention she
is my “older” sister), but I was more
intrigued by the concept- is there really
one thing that makes everyone happy?
Gretchen Rubin’s book, The Happiness
Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to
Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets,
Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally
Have More Fun is one woman’s chronicle
of her sometimes unorthodox attempts
to be happier. For some it is not just one
thing, but a combination of small things.
Actionforhappiness.org is a website
devoted to promoting happiness, featuring ten keys to happier living that spells
GREAT DREAM:
(1) Giving: Caring about others;
(2) Relating: Connecting;
(3) Exercise: Be active;
(4) Appreciating: Be mindful and aware;
(5) Trying Out: Keep learning;
(6) Direction: Set challenging but attainable goals;
(7) Resilience: Our reaction to what happens can be learned;
(8) Emotion: Focus on the good aspects

of any situation;
(9) Acceptance: Be kind to yourself and
others, and
(10) Meaning: Be part of something bigger. Certainly rules we can all try to live
by for a happier life.
So what was the answer to the Facebook post? An ATTITUDE of GRATITUDE. This resonated with me. I am
thankful for my family and all of the
wonderful people in my life, and the
wonderful opportunities that keep my
days busy. And I am thankful for the
opportunity to be your President during
this exciting time in our profession in
North Dakota.
The practice of law is changing dramatically; our numbers have swelled,
and more lawyers are engaging in nontraditional and leadership roles. Next up
on my reading list- The Happy Lawyer:
Making a Good Life in the Law by Nancy
Levit and Douglas O. Linder. Apparently
there are as many ways to achieve happiness as there are lawyers. What makes
you happy?

“

An ATTITUDE of
GRATITUDE

”