In the summer of 1999 Luke and I flew to Phoenix to begin our trip through Arizona to the Grand Canyon and then to Las Vegas. Before the trip I received some information from the Arizona Office of Tourism. They recommended that we stop in a place called Sedona, which I had never heard of.
We checked into the Desert Quail Inn and walked across the street to a small strip mall where a man sitting a small desk asked if we were interested in going horseback riding. He told us it would be free if we agreed to go to a 90 minute sales presentation at The Ridge on Sedona Golf Resort. Having never been through a time-share presentation, it sounded like a good deal to us. We were taken by jeep into the desert where we then took a fabulous 2 hour trail ride. As far as the presentation, it was pretty easy because Luke and I had already fallen in love with Sedona. The decision to buy the time-share is one I have never regretted. So when I get these constant calls or letters saying “we can get you out of your time-share” I say “Why?”
While we were there we hiked to Bell Rock and around it and the next day we make our first climb up Cathedral Rock, although we managed to stray from the trail for a while, but eventually made it to the top. Sedona became our Zen place. Luke and I returned the following year and brought along my daughter Bethany and their cousin Shea. The four of us have made around 7 trips there together.
The hiking is incredible and that is where Bethany first fell in love with yoga. It is a peaceful place that is pretty much void of stressors.
Attorneys are constantly under stress battling opposing counsel, trying to meet deadlines and trying to keep clients happy. Too many attorneys are not capable of properly dealing with stress. Some turn to alcohol, some to drugs, some to questionable sexual relationships, others engage in to excessive gambling or uncontrolled spending. In most cases it is not because they are “bad people,” it is because they are looking to get away from the pressure that confronts them daily. And yes, sadly there are lawyers who have no conscience and engage in truly despicable behavior. But it has always been my contention that those individuals are less at risk of harming themselves because their super-egos accept their behavior as appropriate.
I just recently returned from another great trip to Sedona. I took my step-son, Nathan, and Bethany’s boyfriend, Brock, for their first visits. They became instant believers in the power of tranquility that one can find there.
And Bethany, Sharon and I once again found that energy and peace that helps us deal with the grief and stress that tries to eat away at us.
It is important that we as attorneys find our Zen or our place of calmness. Whether it is in the desert, on a beach or in a church, we have to be able to escape and exhale for a while. But I am afraid too many of us are unable or unwilling to do so. I believe that is the reason most attorneys have difficulty retiring. They do not know what to do with their time. The pressure and stress becomes normal for them. But over time it takes its toll and leads to tragic results.
The Trials of Luke 