Welcome to legal education and all that a law school education has to offer. There is virtually nothing as eye-opening or personally fulfilling as finding ways to help solve society's problems, which is one thing lawyers do. Studying law is challenging in all of the right ways. It is intellectually stimulating, socially valued, useful in everyday life, and meaningful on multiple levels. It also opens doors in ways few other educational opportunities do. The fact that you are studying law makes you one of the fortunate few.

This book is designed to help you make the very best use of your legal education, and to help you develop your professional identity as a lawyer through mindfulness and emotional intelligence practices. Some might find it frivolous to study professional development, mindfulness, and emotional intelligence in law school, particularly compared to the study of contracts or torts. However, teaching professional development in law school is a trend that is hitting law schools by storm. While law was not the first field to jump on the bandwagon, the importance of teaching valuedriven purpose, as well as personal well-being, is now well-recognized in law, medicine, and all of the professions. This subject matter is incredibly important to your future, and by the end of this book, we think you will understand the significance of the subject matters covered here.

Mindfulness means learning to live in the present moment and to do just one thing at a time. For lawyers, mindfulness exercises can help in three fundamental ways. On the most superficial level, these practices can reduce stress. On the next level of practical utility, these practices can help us keep calm, stay focused, and, as a result, increase productivity. On the most meaningful level, mindfulness practices can help us find our life work and our purpose here on earth. The practices are simple but the results can be life-changing

Some exercises ask you to practice being still, and others request that you be actively reflective. All are designed to help with one of these fundamental goals: calm, focus, and purpose.