The Mark's Law Firm Blog

Legacies

abigailjohnston — Wed, 19 May 2010 03:02:01 +0000

A very dear friend of mine lost her father unexpectedly this past week. My husband, Elliot, and I were able to travel to the memorial and I was struck by the legacy that he has left behind and the joy that he gave to those around him. Ed Wahlbeck’s legacy is not only his four amazing children, their spouses, and his precious grandchildren, but also his efforts to give back to the community, specifically to children in need. You can find out more about his legacy and the scholarship fund in his name for children here.

Participating in the celebration of my dear friend’s father’s life got me thinking–what legacy do I want to leave behind?

A legacy can be defined as: “ what someone or something is remembered for or what they have left behind that is remembered, revered or has impacted current events and the present day.” Pretty dry. The dictionary definition is even worse–all to do with monetary bequests and middle English roots.

I see my legacy as, certainly, a work in progress, but also something that cannot be made or unmade in a day or a moment. My legacy is certainly the words and deeds that make up my day and week and month, but also the direction and focus of my goals and undertakings. It is found in the people I touch and see and the family that I was born into along with the one that I am creating. In sum, it is the whole, which is greater than the sum of its parts.

What will your legacy be?

Abigail

Success

abigailjohnston — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 13:09:47 +0000

This past week, in a Collaborative Marketing seminar, I came across a quote attributed to Jonathan Martensson that really struck me. It was . . . “Success will never be a big step in the future, success is a small step taken just now.” All too often we (myself included) view success as something to be attained later after significant focus and hard work. But I was struck by the thought that we each have the ability to achieve success right now by taking a small step. That step could seem small–a chosen attitude, smiling rather than frowning, taking the time to connect with others–the list is endless and personal to each of us. Yet, how powerful those steps can truly be in our own lives and the in the lives of others.

I am reminded also of a poem that is often attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson which takes the idea of “small steps” and reveals the often missed effect on others:

Success

To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.

What will you do to be successful today?

Abigail

The Great Divorce

abigailjohnston — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 03:39:07 +0000

by C.S. Lewis describes the “Afterworld” through the eyes of the narrator who boards a bus on a drizzly English afternoon and begins a journey through Heaven and Hell. On this journey, he meets supernatural beings and is challenged to re-evaluate his understanding of good and evil, of heaven and hell.

The book is overtly an allegory, but makes some really good points applicable to each of us, but especially poignant for those who are experiencing pain. One such point, borrowed by Lewis from his literary mentor, George MacDonald, the old Scottish preacher and writer, is the description of the difference between the “passion of pity” and the “action of pity.”

The passion of pity is a feeling that can be used as a weapon by bad people against good people. The action of pity, on the other hand, will live forever. It is an action that stoops to bring healing and joy, no matter the cost to itself, “but it will not, at the cunning tears of Hell, impose on good the tyranny of evil.”

What can you do today to bring healing and joy to those around you?

Abigail

Flight, Fight, or Fulfil

abigailjohnston — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:29:14 +0000

A very wise client, in response to the latest legal skirmish, said to me today—don’t they ever get tired of fighting? As I began to think through all the responses I could give her, all the legal reasons why the latest gambit was allowable or even advisable under the law, I caught her eye and realized just what she was asking me. She needed to know why her Former Husband continued to carry on the fight that could have ended at the time of their divorce years ago and it reminded me how different people see/experience conflict.

Some people see conflicts as an inescapable hazard that threatens to derail their lives completely and their response is to flee. Others see conflict as something that must be addressed decisively and firmly, so they will square off and prepare for battle. The third category is where I want to be—those people who see conflict as an opportunity to learn about themselves, learn about others, and ultimately honor God as the participants work towards solutions that are win-win.

As my wise client challenged me, I challenge you today—how do you respond to conflict?

Abigail

A New Year, a New Decade, and New Ways of Connecting!

abigailjohnston — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 01:52:02 +0000

While it is rather belated, we at The Marks Law Firm (TMLF for short) would like to ring in a new year, a new decade and new ways of connecting with each of the important people touching our lives, personally and professionally. Each of you who receive our newsletter and our e-cards are already aware of the new ideas we’ve implemented to stay connected! And now, we’ve started this blog, yet another way to not only stay connected with those of you who are already aware of our amazing Team, but also to reach out in other ways to people who may not know yet. Stay tuned for interesting and informative (sometimes entertaining) notes and updates from each of the lawyers at TMLF. You will get to know each of us in the weeks and months ahead and we would love to hear from you–let us know if our thoughts and musings are helpful, informative, or not.

For now, please accept our thanks for the opportunities to be of service to each of you. As all of us have issues that we need to face and solve in this new year and new decade with new and unique challenges, we want you to know that we stand ready to help come alongside you to help you grow in the areas that challenge you, as well as embrace and celebrate growth as it occurs.

Abigail

Welcome!

markslawfla — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 22:48:49 +0000

Hey Everyone!

Welcome to the new Mark’s Law Firm Blog. This blog will feature one post each week from each one of our attorneys. We hope that it will provide a forum for us to speak to you all at length about things we find interesting and relevant. Enjoy!