A Tip of the Hat to You
September 25th, 2024 by admin
I recently received a shout out from a statewide legal publication, NC Lawyers Weekly, along with fifteen other lawyers across the state. This was the first-ever effort by NC Lawyers Weekly to establish this recognition of lawyers for various leadership activities, and I was honored to be chosen as one of the sixteen.
We were designated as “Icons” by the publication. I have been called a lot of things as a lawyer over the years, but never an Icon. But I was genuinely grateful to be included among some mighty fine lawyers.
One factor by those who selected the lawyers, however, noted something different in kind about why I was selected: You. The recipients of the Courthouse pieces. Including some of the wisdom of many of you which makes its way into several of the pieces. And the value of sharing some of your stories as a lawyer with others, and what this lawyer often learns along the way, too.
Which helps to broaden the reach of the law, lawyers, and the law of common sense to the recipients. With some insights which travel well, hopefully, even from an imperfect chronicler like me. “Perspective is worth 80 IQ points,” someone once said. And it is true in a variety of ways if we have the patience and insight to find it and value it as we should.
I have a good friend who tells the story about when his children were growing up. When they experienced a challenging event of some kind, and maybe a broader lesson to be learned, he would ask his children: what did you learn from this? As his children grew up, my friend said, they would sometimes roll their eyes at this question, with some assistance from their mother, too. But it is not a bad habit at all to reflect on experiences to see if they have any travelling value for you for the journey down the road.
Sometimes this better sightline comes from experiences I have had in a court of law, but many of them come from life’s broader experience. Parents, siblings, one’s spouse, teachers, friends, role models (like you), growing up days, and others. All of which experiences, hopefully, allow us to see a little more clearly around the coming corner of life.
My mom and dad kept a hot plate holder in our kitchen when my siblings and I were growing up which had this message on it: "Too soon old, too late smart." The race in life which matters is to get to the “smart” part first.
The overall importance and reach of your stories are what those deciders of this recognition from Lawyers Weekly saw, I think. Lessons learned from different people in different ways and in different lanes of life. And to find a new perspective to reach that “smart” goal while we still can use their teaching power. Insight and reflection never go out of style, and we all benefit from finding more of it.
And its teachers do not require a degree with letters, either. There are laws in the statutes and court opinions, but the laws of common sense, experience and insight are the ones which often travel well most of all. Because we are all teachers, just about different things. Aren’t we?
So, I thank you for the stories and experiences you have shared with me, many of which find their way into these Courthouse pieces. And I am grateful to Lawyers Weekly for seeing the value of them, too. When lawyers, even the imperfect ones among us, share a teaching experience. Their own, or from others, too. Because a little travelling wisdom to reach a better result for the next challenge which comes our way is a good thing, don’t you think?
R. Michael Wells
Posted in: On the Way to the Courthouse