Skip Time

On Wednesday this past week I got the chance to meet with Skip Li, and boy was it an encouraging time. Skip is a partner in his own law firm that was formed as an experiment in seeing what it would look like to have God lead your entire practice of law. The result has been "Ellis Li & McKinstry" which employs 18 lawyers and practices in the heart of downtown Seattle.

Walking into his office (which stands on the 49th floor of 2nd Union Tower) I was both nervous and excited. However, my anxiety was quelled immediately when Skip ushered me into their board meeting room. The next hour served as one of the most encouraging and uplifting times I have experienced in the past month. My fears about school rankings and career placement were dispelled immediately by Skip, and visions of a career and life in Seattle began to reawaken in my mind again.

Perhaps the best part about the meeting was when Skip asked me about maintaining a community after law school. Knowing of how fortunate I have been with friends and the relationships I have, he encouraged me to think about making a commitment with them to all live in the same neighborhood some day. Why this stood out the most was because it showed me how Skip approaches his career. I went there to talk about law school and my future career, he ended up explaining to me the importance of living with friends and the necessity for proximity outside of school life.

Cyd wasn't there to make breakfast, and it wasn't 8:30 on a Saturday morning, but my time with Skip was special and valuable. I miss having the opportunity to listen to him speak about his thoughts on a monthly basis, but I think I have cultivated an appreciation for his thoughts and advice that surpasses my previous admiration. I loved his practice and the way he went about developing it, I only hope that I can pursue my law career in a similar fashion -- with God as the driving force.

Always Love,

Brock

Beginning Anew

I have yet to make a real post on my blog, and, after months of contemplation I have officially decided to start blogging. Much of my desire to "begin anew" has been sparked by the radical changes that have shook my world upside down. 7 months ago I was studying for the LSAT believing I would score 170+, convinced I would be living in Washington for the rest of my life, and under the assumption that I had my life configured in such a way that I was in control.

Well, as you can most likely guess, I was wrong on all accounts.

Instead, my life has been transformed into a gnarly adventure that has brought me good times and bad times, pain and joy, and fright and delight. The insights I've gained throughout the past 7 months have forever changed the way I think and operate in my life. The thing that has been a recurring theme these past several months, and has undoubtedly been the one message God has been trying to etch into my brain is that life isn't always about winning on your first try. Rather, it seems that through practice and a desire to learn, it seems to me that life is about learning how to win for the first time on your 47th, or even 147th try.

I am becoming a learner.

Much of my life has come very naturally and easily for me. From where I lived and all my opportunities, to acquiring athletic and scholastic skill. Everything seemed simple in life. However, once my pond grew into an ocean, and I delved into life as a college student at the UW, I have come to the realization that life is tough. Not just tough, I'm talking mean and dirty, just like the old men at the YMCA who can't hack it on the court anymore. As things have gotten more difficult in life, everything seems to be getting more complicated, and in turn has left me yearning for "the good ole days" when life was smooth and easy sailing.

But, life isn't about smooth and easy sailing.

I welcome the challenge and opportunities that come with dealing with adversity. I know there are going to be bad times, but I want to learn how to appreciate those and relish the opportunities. I don't want to crave for the finish, or wish for easier times when I run into a challenge, rather I want to grab onto to God and give it everything I got. I may fail this time, but, rest assured, I will eventually figure it out and ultimately perform the way God intended me to.

Life is changing rapidly and I couldn't be more excited. I will be in San Diego in less than 4 months and pursuing the rest of my life. I can't wait to experience everything that God has planned for me, and I look forward to sharing both the good and the bad with you guys.

Always Love,

Brock