Finding Joy
Pro bono work gives me purpose as a lawyer
Purpose has a way of ripening into joy, as this corporate lawyer discovered.
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The meaning of life lies not in the endless pursuit of happiness, but in the contentment that comes from living a life that is useful to others, says the writer.
PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO
Usha Chandradas
It’s hard to describe the stillness in the office when you’re a corporate lawyer sitting at your desk late at night. The disappointments, stresses and scoldings of the day mingle with the relief and grim satisfaction of finally delivering results for clients, and the whole thing bears down on you until you gather what’s left of yourself and leave for the day – on time, ideally.
But there are some days when you simply can’t. And on those late nights, surrounded by random creaky pipe sounds, the glug of the water cooler and the dry hum of the air-conditioning, you rethink your life choices.