A Letter to My Younger Self: Ari Sibrey-Hughes
Dear Ari,
Today will be a hard day. Reading those words, “We regret to inform you that you did not pass the North Carolina Bar Exam,” will be one of the toughest times you will go through. I know it seems unfair, reflecting back to all the time you spent studying, reading, writing, and taking practice exams, all to fail by three points! I know you feel like burying your head under the covers and never coming up again. The disappointment you feel about yourself in this moment makes you want to give up on your dream of becoming a lawyer. But you will persevere, become confident in yourself, take the exam again and pass! That will be one of the greatest moments of your life. You will barely keep the news to yourself, and everyone will be so proud of you. You will be sworn in to become a lawyer, just like your dad did many years ago. Although you can’t call and share the news with him, you know he is smiling (okay, beaming) down with joy and pride at your accomplishment.
So what happens next, you ask? You will find your first job in the family law field. It has its challenges, but you are determined to put your all into the work and to help your clients. Then, one day, out of the blue, your boss will come into your office and say, “I think you’re a great person, but you just don’t get it. I am going to have to let you go.” Those words will catch you off guard. You put your heart into your work and did your best. This event will rock you and make you wonder if you aren’t good enough to even practice law. It will make you feel as if the many years and tears you’ve expended truly were for naught. Let me tell you, no, they were not. You will take this opportunity to reset, think about who you are and consider the impact you want to have on this profession. Stay tuned because it gets so much better.