Civility

“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing.” – Abraham Lincoln

November 6, 2014: a new class of attorneys sworn in, licensed, and let loose in the state of Illinois. Most gratefully, I was present as one of these newly sworn in and licensed attorneys. To commemorate this event, there were many speeches from various justices and attorneys.  Most of the speakers quoted Abraham Lincoln at some point, being Illinois’ most famous  (and NOT infamous) attorney. The above quote was by far my favorite, because it is applicable to so many aspects of life.

I decided that I wanted to be an attorney when I was a sophomore in high school. That was 10 years ago. It was appealing to me because it was a way to help people, but in a way different then the traditional sense I had grown up with, as in becoming a doctor or a nurse. I’ll admit it, it was also appealing to me because I LOVE the movie Legally Blonde. It remains one of my favorite movies. Nevertheless, it was at that point I started to pursue this dream. I went to college with the idea of law school upon graduating. In college I was provided the opportunity to work at my uncle’s law firm. This gave me the perspective to see what the profession entailed, a far cry from anything seen on TV. I stayed the course, beginning law school straight out of undergrad. When I started law school, I had no idea what to expect, but it was without a doubt, at that point in my life, the most challenging thing I had ever encountered. Graduating this past May was exciting, but unfulfilling because I knew there was a BEAST to overcome yet. Aka, THE BAR. Studying for that became, without a doubt, the hardest thing I had ever encountered in my life. Waiting 2 months for the results was equally as challenging. However, it was worth it all because the moment I learned I passed the bar was the greatest feeling I have ever felt, EVER. An indescribable feeling, but the weight of 1 millions pounds, mixed with the anxiety, sweat, nightmares, stress, and just pure awful that the past 4 months had been, lifted off my shoulders, comes as close as words can, as to how it felt. Oh, that PLUS knowing what I’d worked for, what I’d dreamed of, was going to be able to come true.

  WE DID IT!

So that leads me to today. The culmination of lots of hard work, rests in a piece of paper which announces that I am now authorized to practice law in the state of Illinois. SCARY, I know! But here’s what else I know: it’s only the beginning.

Everything I’ve thought was challenging in life, WILL be blown away by something WAY more challenging and more difficult. I don’t know what form this challenge will come in, nor do I know when it will come. But this I do know; I know that when it comes, I WILL take it on, embrace it, and tackle it, keeping Ol’ Honest Abe’s words in mind and close to heart.

I also know that this isn’t about me anymore. As one of the speakers said today, “Check your ego at the door.” I went into this profession because I wanted to help people. That’s what being an attorney is, it is being an advocate. Being the BEST and GREATEST advocate for your client that you can be. No matter which side you’re on. If law school taught me nothing else, it taught me there are two sides to everything, and there are valid arguments that can be made on both sides. Valid arguments that must be respected and listened to. Part of being an advocate is not only fighting for the best interest of a client, but also doing the RIGHT thing on a whole. Acting with CIVILITY, towards the court, towards opposing counsel, towards co-counsel, to everyone. Being civil and acting civil. This is an old and honored profession, I’m here to keep it that way.

Finally, I know that no person is an island. There is absolutely no way I could have gotten to the point where I was raising my right hand and taking an oath today, had it not been for my family, my friends, and everyone else that I’ve encountered in life. Our experiences shape who we become and what we become, no matter however minuscule. Without the love and support I’ve been unconditionally provided with in my life, I would be nowhere. Others are in our lives for a reason, no one can do everything alone, and frankly, how boring would that be?!!? I know I am blessed to have an amazing support system in my life, through the greatest family God could give me, and the best friends a girl could ask for. It would be selfish to think a fulfillment of a dream was something I accomplished alone, because it belongs to those who helped and supported me along the way.

 proud parents

So with these things in mind, I am very excited to start the next chapter of my life, truly I have no idea what it has in store for me, but I know that it starts with an iron-clad will, a will to succeed, a will to fight, a will to help, and a will to advocate.

WISH ME LUCK!!!

xoxo,

Jackie

Shine On, World!

Today, February 6, 2014, marks a day I’ve been eagerly waiting for the past few months, the OLYMPICS! Yes, opening ceremonies are tomorrow, but coverage of a few events began today since this year they added some new events.

Anyway, I’m pumped. I LOVE the Olympics. However, this evening when one of my friends remarked that she could care less, and has never cared about the Olympics, I first that I have A LOT of reasons why I love the Olympics so much.

As preface, I love all Olympics the same, winter or summer. In fact, I deeply appreciate that the winter games were added so I only have to go two years in between Olympic celebrations, not four. But I digress….

Reason #1: The Olympics unite countries and the world. They foster an immense feeling of nationalism for the countries that participate, but at the same time, they foster a sense of community among all those countries. For a few weeks, athletes of 88 countries will be living together in a united environment, all working towards the same goals, to do the best for themselves AND to do the best for their countries.

Reason #2: The Olympics represent what is beautiful about life. The Olympics showcase that health, athleticism, and wellness of the mind & body have the potential to do truly amazing things. All the athletes embody these qualities and their endeavors over the next few weeks display in a spectacular format the outcome of what is possible.

Reason #3: The language of the Olympic games is completely universal. All the athletes have worked SO HARD to get to the Olympics. They are the culmination of what sacrifice, motivation, dedication, drive, and focus can achieve. This being victory, reward, pride, triumph, and joy. However, not everyone can win, and not every athlete will have the best performance of their lives in the coming weeks. There will be heartbreak, tears, pain, suffering, and sadness. All these feelings, good or bad, and all the outcomes, happy or sad, are emotions that are universal and ones everyone, athlete or not, can relate to.

Reason #4: The Olympics are a modern event, that are every changing, however they are rooted in history and tradition. The inspiration for the creation of the Olympics Games goes all the way back to ancient Greece. Beginning in 776 BC, the Olympics were a series of athletic competitions were held in Olympia, Greece, as a way to honor the god Zeus. They continued through part of the Roman Empire as well, until they were suppressed in 394 AD. The modern Olympic games began in 1894, at the time only the summer games, and in 1924 the Winter games commenced.  What this proves is that health, fitness, and well being have continued across cultures and ages to be highly valued concepts.

Reason #5: The Olympics are accessible. Sure, maybe we do not all have the natural athleticism that can get us to the Olympics one day, BUT look how many do! This year, at the winter games there are over 3,000 athletes competing. The wide variety of events represented also creates inclusivity among sports. Furthermore, these athletes are normal everyday humans. They are not (usually) pro athletes (with notable exceptions). For the most part they are silent, dedicated athletes who have worked the better part of their lives to get to the games, will strive to do their best at them, and then go home afterwards, maybe to some fanfare if they did well, but most likely not. (On this note: I recently discovered a woman I sometimes speed train with is a former Olympic downhill skier for the country of Lebanon. I would have NEVER guessed this in a million years, but once I discovered this, you bet I asked her about a million questions.)

Reason #6 (and final one for now): The Olympics are about LOVE. Love of your country, love of your world, love of your sport, but most importantly LOVE OF YOURSELF. Love, that no matter if you win gold or come in last, you poured your heart out into your performance, you did the best that you could, you gave it your all. Because at the end of the day that’s all we (the rest of the world) asks of the athletes. To give it their all.

Every athlete has worked hard to get to Sochi. Every athlete has endured sacrifices and obstacles on their Olympic journey. But all politics aside, for a few weeks the WORLD will celebrate THEM! SHINE ON ATHLETES! SHINE ON WORLD!

xoxo,

Jackie