Attorney Mike Wells, guest columnist, on Attorney Nelson Mandela - Winston-Salem Journal: Columnists

Attorney Mike Wells, guest columnist, on Attorney Nelson Mandela - Winston-Salem Journal: Columnists

Nelson Mandela's Last Gift

Nelson Mandela’s Last Gift

 

I would have handled the situation differently. Likely most of you would have, too.

 

He was a young lawyer who not only failed to accept the status quo but he was offended by it. He was labeled a radical and jailed, and largely forgotten for twenty-seven years, until his struggle caught the world's eye. In time, he was released, and he ushered in great change in his country and throughout the world.

 

Nelson Mandela, in his life and in his death, is such an iconic manifestation of the core principle first established on the plain at Runnymede nearly eight hundred years ago: right, not might, should make right. The civilized world's Great Charter, the Magna Carta, played out in South Africa on the same plain all free people seek.

 

But there is another lesson of great reach in this lawyer's story. Few among us will get to right a large wrong.  But Nelson Mandela’s clear sight line on one of life's most destructive emotions can help us right a wrong that is large enough to do us great harm.

 

The greatness of Nelson Mandela lies in this as much as his life before he was released from prison.  We miss what his life can tell us and teach us if we focus too much on this vivid picture of a wronged man set free.  This is not the genius of Nelson Mandela or the key to his cathartic life’s journey.

 

Upon his release from prison, he was asked: how do you avoid being bitter? So much of your life has been unfairly lost?

 

He said: "Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.”

 

Nelson Mandela became the tangible symbol of the ravages of apartheid.  But it was his size, and his commitment to bridge the chasm from hate to hope through forgiveness, that allowed a nation to bridge that chasm as well.

 

His journey, and that of his countrymen, had to bring along those who continued their bitter support of apartheid.  To gain the better result, he had to give up his harsh and deep hurt, to which he was entitled, which lies deep at the heart of this paradoxically laced gift, forgiveness.

 

As this great man leaves the world stage, he leaves us this final gift, this better view of a better place and a better world: Old, long ago, resentments which run through our mind's eye, over and over, rob us of so much good. Forgive as many people as you can, as often as you can, and in as many ways as you can. Forgiveness is twice blessed, and it speeds us on our own journey to that place called Hope.

 

If an iconic lawyer leader can give up his resentment on such a large thing, surely we can give up our resentment on smaller things. The drink of this cup is not worth the cost. Just listen to the old lawyer who knew.

Here is a good article about keeping control of your credit card debt.

Singletary: Kicking the credit card habit - Winston-Salem Journal: Columnists

Common Scams to Avoid, especially during the Holidays

Wells: The Flim Flam Man in the 21 st Century World - Winston-Salem Journal: Local Business Columnists

Free public service law seminars co-sponsored by Library and the Shepherd Center onTuesday-Wednesday, 11.19-20.2013.

Here is the schedule for the free public service law seminars at the Reynolda Library, co-sponsored by the County Library and The Shepherd Center.

2839 Fairlawn Drive

Winston-Salem, NC 27106

(336) 703-2960

Tuesday, 19 November, 2013

2:00 – 3:00 Estate Planning Basics: Learn about the new estate tax law changes and what you should do now.

3:00 – 4:00 Elder Law Basics: How to preserve your assets in the face of rising nursing home costs.

4:00 – 5:00  Nursing home care that falls short: Was it old age or bad care?

6:00 – 7:00 Homeowner’s Associations:  Calling all Homeowner’s Association Board Members – Information for You.

Wednesday, 20 November 2013

2:00 – 3:00 Estate Planning Basics: What do you do about estate tax planning now?  What everyone, regardless of your assets, should know to protect your family; and the five biggest mistakes families make.

3:00 – 4:00  Veterans Administration (VA) Disability Claims:  What you should know.

4:00 – 5:00  Social Security Disability:  When are you entitled to benefits?

More On the Way to the Courthouse Stories Available

On the Way to the Courthouse A Perfect Halloween Strategy – The Value of a Plan Friends, First, I want to thank you for your continued interest in my stories. Several of you have ordered copies of my book, What I’ve Learned about Life on the Way to the Courthouse, from my stash at the office.  So much so that I had to order several more copies, which is a good thing.  If you will email to me your mailing address at mikew@wellsjenkins.com, I will mail one to you, and you may send a check for $15 to me at your convenience at 155 Sunnynoll Court, Suite 200, Winston-Salem, NC 27106.  You can also click on one of the following links to order directly from the Blurb website: Ebook Black & White Color Here is a story from my youth about Halloween that tells a larger story about the importance of a sound strategy, especially in the New Economy.  I hope you enjoy it. Mike A Perfect Halloween Strategy – The Value of a Plan She was way ahead of me on this one, as older sisters often are with their little brothers. Halloween was, and is, a great time for children.  The best part for me was the stash of candy you collected.  For a period of time, your mom indulged you having some candy from your bag that normally you would never be allowed to eat. My strategy on Halloween night was to go with my buddies (when kids without accompanying parents was safe) to the houses in the neighborhood.  The neighbors, of course, saw past our costumes but they never let on they knew us. My sister, three and a half years older, had a different strategy.  She and her best friends would get one of the parents to take them to the richest neighborhood and they would work those houses pretty well.  Being cute little girls dressed up as gypsies didn’t hurt.  Who would not want to give some extra treats to a cute little gypsy girl? At the end of the evening, my sister and I would dump out our stashes on the bed to see how we did.  The vivid picture in my mind’s eye of the visible evidence of this more thoughtful strategy has stuck with me all of these years. But what really has stuck with me is that my stash ran out sooner than hers.  I had to endure what seemed like weeks of her still enjoying her candy after my candy had run out.  Sometimes even cute little gypsy girls will rub it in to their younger brothers. The humorist, Lewis Grizzard, told the story of the little boy who was accused of getting into his older sister’s Halloween candy.  He blamed it on their dog.  When confronted with the reality that the family had no dog, he replied “That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.” The failure to have such an innovative long-term Halloween candy strategy makes for a good story, but it does not impact us as adults.  But the “that’s my story and I’m sticking to it” story line is very much with us.  And its impact can be very damaging to our careers. The reason most of us do not have a long-term strategy is because we do not have a short-term strategy either.  We do things pretty much as we have done so for a long time.  For many of us, that’s all we know. But the challenge for every business and profession is dealing with not only change, but rapid change.  We better have a strategy that takes us beyond the narrowing confines of what we know and what we have always done. If we do not build a solid, specific plan to deal with change, it is just a matter of time before that formless, no-plan shape will be pressed against the solid and unyielding angularity of the New Economy. What I’ve learned about life on the way to the courthouse is this:  You better have a strategy and the discipline to see it through.  If you do not, the New Reality will come knocking on your door one day.  And it’s not going to be a cute little gypsy girl.

 

A Perfect Halloween Strategy--The Value of a Plan

A Perfect Halloween Strategy – The Value of a Plan

 

She was way ahead of me on this one, as older sisters often are with their little brothers.

 

Halloween was, and is, a great time for children.  The best part for me was the stash of candy you collected.  For a period of time, your mom indulged you having some candy from your bag that normally you would never be allowed to eat.

 

My strategy on Halloween night was to go with my buddies (when kids without accompanying parents was safe) to the houses in the neighborhood.  The neighbors, of course, saw past our costumes but they never let on they knew us.

 

My sister, three and a half years older, had a different strategy.  She and her best friends would get one of the parents to take them to the richest neighborhood and they would work those houses pretty well.  Being cute little girls dressed up as gypsies didn’t hurt.  Who would not want to give some extra treats to a cute little gypsy girl? 

 

At the end of the evening, my sister and I would dump out our stashes on the bed to see how we did.  The vivid picture in my mind’s eye of the visible evidence of this more thoughtful strategy has stuck with me all of these years. 

 

But what really has stuck with me is that my stash ran out sooner than hers.  I had to endure what seemed like weeks of her still enjoying her candy after my candy had run out.  Sometimes even cute little gypsy girls will rub it in to their younger brothers. 

 

The humorist, Lewis Grizzard, told the story of the little boy who was accused of getting into his older sister’s Halloween candy.  He blamed it on their dog.  When confronted with the reality that the family had no dog, he replied “That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.”

 

The failure to have such an innovative long-term Halloween candy strategy makes for a good story, but it does not impact us as adults.  But the “that’s my story and I’m sticking to it” story line is very much with us.  And its impact can be very damaging to our careers. 

 

The reason most of us do not have a long-term strategy is because we do not have a short-term strategy either.  We do things pretty much as we have done so for a long time.  For many of us, that’s all we know.

 

But the challenge for every business and profession is dealing with not only change, but rapid change.  We better have a strategy that takes us beyond the narrowing confines of what we know and what we have always done.

 

If we do not build a solid, specific plan to deal with change, it is just a matter of time before that formless, no-plan shape will be pressed against the solid and unyielding angularity of the New Economy.

What I’ve learned about life on the way to the courthouse is this:  You better have a strategy and the discipline to see it through.  If you do not, the New Reality will come knocking on your door one day.  And it’s not going to be a cute little gypsy girl.

Free Legal Seminars Co-sponsored by Library and Shepherd Center on Tuesday and Wednesday, 10.22-23.2013.

Here are a number of free legal seminars this Tuesday and Wednesday, October 22 and 23, 2013.  These seminars are co-sponsored by the Forsyth County Public Library System and the Shepherd Center.  No reservations are necessary.

Reynolda Library

2839 Fairlawn Drive

Winston-Salem, NC 27106

(336) 703-2960

Tuesday, 22 October 2013

2:00 – 3:00 Estate Planning Basics: Learn about the new estate tax law changes and what you should do now.

3:00 – 4:00 Elder Law Basics: How to preserve your assets in the face of rising nursing home costs.

4:00 – 5:00  Nursing home care that falls short: Was it old age or bad care?

6:00 – 7:00 Homeowner’s Associations:  Calling all Homeowner’s Association Board Members – Information for You.

Wednesday, 23 October 2013

2:00 – 3:00 Estate Planning Basics: What do you do about estate tax planning now?  What everyone, regardless of your assets, should know to protect your family; and the five biggest mistakes families make.

3:00 – 4:00  Veterans Administration (VA) Disability Claims:  What you should know.

4:00 – 5:00  Social Security Disability:  When are you entitled to benefits?

Free Legal Seminar on Estate Planning on Tuesday, October 15.

 Estate Planning Basics at Wake Forest Baptist Health Medical Plaza-Country Club, Diabetes Classroom, 4610 Country Club Rd., Winston-Salem on Tuesday, October 15^th from 2 pm to 3 pm. Call 336-716-9253 to reserve your spot.  Free.

Free Legal Seminars on selected topics Tuesday and Wednesday at Reynolda Library

Free Legal Seminars on selected topics on Tuesday, September 24 and Wednesday, September 25 at Reynolda Library.

 I am conducting a number of seminars as part of my partnership with the Forsyth County Library System.  These seminars are free and open to the public.  You do not have to have a reservation.

 

Reynolda Library is close to the intersection of Fairlawn Drive and Reynolda Road, across from Reynolda Manor Shopping Center.

 

We normally get a good crowd for these seminars (25-40), so get there early.

 

Please let us know if you have questions. (336-725-2900).

Reynolda Library

2839 Fairlawn Drive

Winston-Salem, NC 27106

(336) 703-2960

Tuesday, 24 September 2013

2:00 – 3:00 Workers’ Compensation:  The laws changed on October 1, 2011.  What you need to know if you have a claim.

3:00 – 4:00 Estate Planning Basics: Learn about the new estate tax law changes and what you should do now.

4:00 – 5:00  Elder Law Basics: How to preserve your assets in the face of rising nursing home costs.

6:00 – 7:00 Homeowner’s Associations:  Calling all Homeowner’s Association Board Members – Information for You

Wednesday, 25 September 2013

2:00 – 3:00 Estate Planning Basics: What do you do about estate tax planning now?  What everyone, regardless of your assets, should know to protect your family; and the five biggest mistakes families make.

3:00 – 4:00  Veterans Administration (VA) Disability Claims:  What you should know.

4:00 – 5:00  Social Security Disability:  When are you entitled to benefits?