We don’t live or practice law in a vacuum. There are many people in our lives who are, partially or wholly, responsible for the accomplishments that we have achieved. No one has achieved success exclusively on his or her own. So, be humble and remember to extend your gratefulness to the ones who have helped you become the success you are now.
As members of the BCBA we have just achieved a significant and notable accomplishment together – we have paid off our mortgage debt early and we are now 100% owners of our beautiful facility. For that I say thanks on behalf of your BCBA Board of Directors and Officers – thank you to all of you who have supported our Association and dutifully paid the building assessment over the past number of years. Your support shows faith in our Association as well as its programs and people. It is tangible evidence that we don’t practice law in a vacuum here in Bucks County but rather acknowledge and value our relationships with each other and that together we can build something that we could not do alone.
As the old saying goes, “No person is an island.” This means that without a doubt, at a certain junction in your life, you are going to need the help of another person. You may not even have to go out actively looking for it, it may just come to you in the form of a kind gesture, words of encouragement, a hug, or a pat on the shoulder, but it will happen. What you should remember is that when it does, it is only right to show your thanks for past help by doing a good turn for someone else in need.
In truth, in life, no matter how solitary a fellow attorney may seem to be, there are many ways for all of us to reach out and invite or encourage that person to begin to build professional or social relationships with other local lawyers. Seemingly mundane actions by our membership can and will have the real potential to make big changes in our future as well as for that individual attorney. Despite the economy and trends in other professional associations we have actually increased our membership significantly over the past several years. We clearly must be doing something right which provides value and relevance to our membership. Any trip to our BCBA facility clearly shows the energy and dynamic nature of the BCBA and our numerous activities, CLEs, Committee, Section and Division meetings and programs we have built together. Thank You again members for letting others know about what we are doing and welcoming them to join us as we continue to build our present and future BCBA together.
As we work together in 2012 let us all remember the following:
“No one who achieves success does so without acknowledging the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude.”
-Alfred North Whitehead
Thank you fellow BCBA members for your past, present and future loyal support of our Association and participation in our programs and activities. See you around the BCBA in 2012!