Here's a quote from Cardozo, which gets to the root of my feelings about the first semester of law school: "In truth, I am nothing but a plodding mediocrity — please observe, a plodding mediocrity — for a mere mediocrity does not go very far, but a plodding one gets quite a distance. There is joy in that success, and a distinction can come from courage, fidelity and industry."
One of the realities of law school is that everyone is just so darned smart, and everyone wants to succeed so much, that if a person has any modesty at all, one can't help but feel mediocre at least some of the time. Especially at this school, where I like virtually everyone I meet, it would just be foolish for me to think I'm going to excel in the same way I did in high school or college.
Fortunately, though, while we're all taking the same classes this year, we're not all headed in the same directions. Most people here want to work for big law firms, where they'll make six figures. That's not my path. I don't know yet where my path is leading, but it most likely is not headed toward a six-figure job. Government, perhaps, or a non-profit firm where I'll be working on causes that matter to me. Those seem far more likely.
After I read Cardozo's quote again, two more things struck me. First, here's a man who was nominated to a lifetime appointment on the highest court in the land, and he still believes he's mediocre. Second, he's plodding. "Plod (v.): walk doggedly and slowly with heavy steps." Sounds all too familiar to me these days. I'm off to plod some more. Perhaps I'll go quite a distance. After not plodding for two months, I've found there's quite a bit of joy in it.
(Oh, and speaking of plodding mediocrity — the Cubs start their playoff run tonight. Go Cubbies.)
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