Criticism all worried conflicts dogs must your dog family called if a practice isn't rewarding and fun it not flourish, right at the end Woody had a short exercise where he challenged us to write down the things that we would change to make our practice better. It was late and I was a bit exhausted from taking much great stuff during the day. a bit of a daze, I dutifully wrote down three things. Then Woody said for us to cross out two of those things, leaving the single best thing that we could do to make our practice better. Then he asked us to turn over the paper and said simply what are you doing Monday? At the time I was angry at Woody, and at myself for having walked right into his trap because I had written Stop taking litigation clients. Angry because I knew that to not do what I had been deftly forced to name would be a betrayal of myself and true journey. that state of weakened resistance, soul had grabbed the pen to really name what I needed. I could not be happier with the results. As a lawyer mediator I tell clients up-front that I do anything for and with them except litigate. Everything on the unbundled menu is available except court. I advise, support negotiations of all stripe, mediate, provide for those mediating with another mediator, work directly with whoever shows up for the other spouse, and of course be part of a Collaborative team working for resolution. Across the five years since I have not wanted for work, and only 2 times have I had to hand off clients to litigation lawyers and frankly each of those times I was glad to be released! And I am regularly told by people around me that I exude happiness and certainly internally I rarely lose touch with a state of extreme gratitude. And that gratitude extends to Woody's part journey I thank him sincerely for helping me take that leap! I know some days it feel like he's been doing what he does for a zillion years and to keep on keepin' on not be worth the fuss. Please know, from the bottom of the heart of this happy seedling out beyond Woody's horizon, that it really is worth it! head was spinning after spending a day and a half with Woody Mosten Coral Gables, learning new ideas and new ways of looking at self and the way I practice and recognizing I have tools toolbox I can use to serve clients. Just when I thought I knew everything I needed to know about being a collaborative practitioner, I realized I didn't know the half of it! One of the most wonderful benefits of the collaborative approach is that it opens the door to more possibilities to serve our clients than they ever had before. I am convinced that the traditional divorce litigation model is becoming a last resort for more and more families and it is getting lower and lower on the list of options for them to use when they're going through family conflict. I've learned there are other ways that I can utilize peace making approach to helping families resolve conflict and I recognize I was limiting myself by thinking this is either or approach. It is not; there are opportunities to work with families and colleagues that go way beyond the scope of either litigating or collaborating. I am on way to real career as a peacemaker! I want to give a big shout out to colleague Ponn for coordinating this amazing experience and for bringing Woody to South Thank you, One of the things I really appreciate about Woody is that he is not only a teacher, he is a student and he recognizes the value of sharing ideas and learning something new. It's pretty safe to say we all learned something this week. I'm no slouch. I graduated from Yale when I was 19 years old. Woody packed much information and suggestions into our day and a half together that I took home a month's worth of valuable homework and remarkable resources. Thanks to him I be honing Collaborative Signature for a and fruitful time to come. I want collaborative colleagues to know what a profound effect the program and introduction to Woody Mosten and his ideas about peacemaking had on those who attended Seattle February 2014, and, perhaps more importantly, to our whole community. The members of our state-wide group who attended the training came to report at our OACP meeting and were exploding with and enthusiasm. It clearly was life changing for them. Hearing them has caused a course correction for all of us. We continued with this light at our all day retreat the next day. We all now recognize how this concept of peacemaker gives us understanding of our personal motivations and purpose. As a result our ships are pointed