Guides

The daily floor

Litigation shrinks life down to the case. Set a small floor beneath yourself that the case is not allowed to touch, and hold to it.

• A fixed morning anchor. Even ten minutes: Scripture (the Psalms, in order, are almost custom-built for this season), prayer, silence. “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23). Mercies arrive daily. Go and collect them on the same schedule.
• Sleep guarded like evidence. Decision fatigue produces the intemperate 1 a.m. email that becomes Exhibit C. “It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep” (Psalm 127:2). No case work and no case email after a set evening hour.
• A weekly sabbath from the case. One day with no documents, no drafting, and no rehearsing arguments in your head. Rumination is case work too. Rest is what makes year three possible.
• Body care as stewardship. Walks, meals, sunlight. Elijah's restoration began with food and sleep before it proceeded to theology (1 Kings 19:5-8). It is fair to ask yourself, honestly, when you last ate.

All guides