Gratitude!

A new year is the perfect time of year to express gratitude! Being a mediation practitioner and student for over 20 years has enriched my life in ways too numerous to count, but one of the primary benefits of this work is the opportunity to learn the importance of gratitude! I embrace gratitude rather than resolutions because gratitude feels like expansion whereas resolutions feel like limiting “shoulds”!

This year I want to express my gratitude to organizations because these organizations are dedicated to enhancing the practice and public understanding of conflict resolution methods and have given me much ongoing support and inspiration. These organizations provide structures to help members advance better practices so that clients can find constructive solutions. Everyone benefits….clients, practitioners and the public!
My first expression of gratitude is to the significant mediation organizations in which I have had the opportunity to increase my knowledge and skills through trainings and interactions with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and professional viewpoints. I am particularly grateful to:

• Association of Conflict Resolution
• ADR Section of Washington State Bar Association
• ADR Section of King County Bar Association
• Washington Mediation Association

Over the past couple of years I have become increasingly involved with the Collaborative Law community. Although different from mediation, I am extremely grateful because affiliation with this community prompts me to dig deeper into my mediation practice to learn how better to serve clients and presents me many new opportunities to stretch and grow. Professional organizations create beautiful containers to practice within and the multi-disciplinary approach guarantees that certain lessons will be presented. To name a few:

• King County Collaborative Law Group
• Cascadia Collaborative Divorce Practice Group
• Collaborative Professionals of Washington
• International Association of Collaborative Professionals

Thanks to all for helping to serve clients better! All the best in 2009!

~ Debra