Hi there,
This is my chance to wish you all “happy holidays” (and don’t worry, it’s coming!).
But “happiness” doesn’t work like you sometimes think it does.
Crossing over what I dare say is the new mark of middle age — 50 years old — was a defining moment in my life’s journey.
I applied the “nursing home test” to my life as it was back then.
When I’m sitting in my nursing home rocker looking back on life, would I be happy with my decision to drive my golf buggy into the retirement sunset with my padded bank account and BigLaw accomplishments?
Or would I regret not taking a risk and pursuing a more unconventional path?
That’s when I decided to found PERSUIT, which I did in the following year.
This year, I turned 58. Gulp. 😲
The truth of it is that you think about these things — the nursing home test, the secrets to happiness, and all of that other "deep" stuff that draws the eye rolls of your children — much more often as you get older.
What I’ve learned is that the most important ingredient to health and happiness — by far — is human connection. Building deep and meaningful connections with family, friends, and community. The Harvard Longitudinal Study bears this out.
Likewise, any professional success in life is pretty meaningless without human connection (even if you’re the founder of a successful legal tech company 🤷♂️).
That’s why this time of year is so important.
Not just to wish each other “happy holidays” and convene with friends and family.
But to pause and reflect on how we’ve extended ourselves during the year to meaningfully connect with and make a positive impact on the lives of others.
The funny thing about happiness is that you start off in life thinking it’s a search for your own.
Then you work out that it only truly shows itself in the happiness you help find for others.
We can always do more.
So I hope you’ll join me in taking the time to do more to reach out to others during this festive season, especially those who need us more than we may (think) we need them. And to carry that thought into the new year.
I wish a happy and healthy festive season to you all, and a HUGE thank you for being a part of the PERSUIT community in 2023 (resisting the temptation to unsubscribe definitely counts you as a member!)
This is our last newsletter edition for 2023, as our team takes some well-earned R&R to enjoy their holidays.
I look forward to rejoining you early in the new year.
Cheers,
Jim
