It’s a new year. For many of us, that means setting resolutions. I am a big goal-setter, and so for me, that typically means setting a number of personal and professional goals. I am currently reading “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. Clear stresses the importance of “identity” in changing behavior. In terms of defining goals or habits,...
Grand Master Carlos Gracie (September 14, 1902 – October 7, 1994) was a Brazilian martial artist and founder of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He also is the father of Grand Master Carley Gracie who, in turn, is the father of Clark Gracie, my own Jiu-Jitsu professor. Gracie fathered 21 children, 13 of whom earned the rank of black belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. At the time of...
I train in jiu-jitsu. Because of trials, and travel, and running the firm, and kids, I don’t train nearly as much as I like. But I do it when I can and I enjoy it. I began training relatively late in life. I was in my late 40s, a lawyer and a dad. Earlier in life, I had obtained...
I write this from a Washington, D.C. hotel room. It’s Father’s Day 2018. I am on the 8th day of a 10-day east coast trip with my three kids. They are still sleeping in their room, which connects to mine. My kids are 11, 9 and 9 (twins obviously). They had never been to the east coast before. We...
I was recently in trial for seven consecutive weeks. Facing another trial scheduled to begin two weeks after the last one ended, I knew I needed some time to relax and recharge. And so, in the middle of my last trial, I booked a trip to Costa Rica. Originally I booked the trip for two: me and my fiancé....
Until recently, I tipped lots of people when I stayed in hotels. I would tip the bellman for bringing my bags up, the bartender for pouring a drink, the server for delivering my dinner, and the valet for driving my car half a block. There was one person, however, I didn’t even think about: the housekeeper who cleaned my...
My three kids play club soccer. The club just held tryouts. I tried hard to parent and teach my kids leading up to that week, and so I write about it here. As different as they are in everything they do, they play and approach soccer differently too. Tryouts, though, had a happy ending for them all.
My ten-year-old, “JD”,...
No, I am not here writing about Bobby Schuller’s evangelical television program, 'The Hour of Power'. But rather, I write to suggest that the first hour of your day is by far the most important, and sets the tone for all that follows. I also share here my morning routine. I do so hoping to inspire one or more...
While Gomez Trial Attorneys handles cases nationally, I without question still consider San Diego home and myself a true “San Diegan.” My dad was in the Navy and so my early years were spent moving between different oceans and bases, including San Diego. We ended up here for good when I was around 10. We lived in Bonita where...
I recently coached my youngest daughter Analise’s last soccer game of the season. Her team, the Blue Saphires, consists of 8 and 7 year old girls. I coached her team last year too. And my youngest boy Michael’s team the year before that. And both my oldest boy JD’s regular and all star team the year before that. And...
