STILL GROWING series, part 1: I didn’t become interested in being a judge until 7 years ago

For my young people out there who are starting college, finishing college, or just starting their career, here’s a little shocker about me. I only had thoughts of being a judge 7 years ago.

Now, if you’re trying to do the math, that means I didn’t think about it until I was 44 years old. And guess what? That’s ok!

When I graduated from High School, do you know what I wanted to be? A CardioThoracic Surgeon! A heart surgeon! That was cool as far as I was concerned. By the time I graduated from College, I had the bio degree but wasn’t going to medical school.

Between the age of 21 (graduating from college) to 48 (when I became appointed as a judge), i had 5 different careers (Safety and Health Specialists, Naval Officer, Associate in a law firm, College Professor, and Business owner), went to Grad School and Law School, lived in 4 different states (Fl, Alabama, Rhode Island, and NC), 6 different apartments, and 2 different homes.

I say this because at the early start of your career, you are going to find yourself wondering “What the hell am I doing with my life?”. Well guess what? At 51 y/o, I’m still trying to figure it out.

And remember, that’s ok! The reason it’s ok is because you are NOT a robot and you are not a block of wood to be put in a square hole. You are a fluid, dynamic, multi-talented force of nature and you are going to go through several versions of yourself as you grow!

And let’s be clear. You NEVER should want to grow up. You always want to keep growing. This way, you will be able to keep growing towards the SKY!

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