My name is Ben Carroll and I am a 1L at Roger Williams Law. I'm just a good 'ol southern boy from Knoxville, TN who has made his way to Rhode Island. I've got it all…The Southern accent; the hospitality. I even play the Banjo! I attended Tennessee Wesleyan, a small liberal arts college in Athens...
"We're not in Kansas anymore..."
Ask me what my impression of Law School and Bristol, RI, and you will get an answer similar to Dorothy's in "The Wizard of OZ." Before now, I thought I had a pretty good idea of what that meant and how it felt. Now, I am sure I do. The only difference being, that I am not telling this to "Toto", her adorable Cairn Terrier, but, you, the magnificent stranger.
For the most part, I like to keep it light most of the time. Even now, I feel like I'm being a little too philosophical, but all things considered, this post is a personal declaration; a promise to myself, as it were. This time next year, I have no idea where I will be...anything could happen. I plan to be, here, at Roger Williams School of Law, but then again, this time last year I thought I would still be in Knoxville selling insurance!
Life is a beautiful, exciting, and unpredictable experience, in my opinion...sometimes...painfully so. "Wherever you go, there you are."
I have my first class in a few hours. Law School has officially began. Just like Dorothy I have no idea where I am at or what my purpose here will ultimately end up being. I'm just going to follow the Yellow Brick road. I'm sure I'll be confronted by flying monkeys and all kinds of whacky obstacles, but of all those, the greatest obstacle will be myself.
That being said, I want to say a little prayer at the outset of my journey. Now, I cannot in good conscience claim this is my original work. Instead, it is the work of one of the great "self-help" gurus, Og Mandino. Coincidentally, he states in one of his books that his inspiration comes from Benjamin Franklin, whose autobiography is what he believes to be one of the best "Self-Help" books ever written. He asks the reader of his books to pass on the "secrets" he reveals. In that spirit, I took his "Salesman's Prayer" and made some slight modifications...
THE J.D. STUDENTS PRAYER
I WILL PRAY FOR GUIDANCE, AND I WILL PRAY AS A J.D. STUDENT, IN THIS MANNER…
Oh creator of all things, help me. For this day I go out into the world naked and alone, and without your hand to guide me I will wander far from the path which leads to success and happiness.
I ask not for gold or garments or even opportunities equal to my ability until I am ready for them; instead, guide me so that I may acquire ability equal to my opportunities.
You have taught the lion how to hunt and prosper with teeth and claw. Teach me how to hunt with words and prosper with love so that I may be a lion among men and an eagle in the classroom/courts.
Help me to remain humble through obstacles and failures; yet hide not from my eyes the prize that will come with victory.
Assign to me cases to which others have failed; yet guide me to pluck the seeds of success from their failures.
Confront me with fears that will temper my spirit; yet endow me with courage to laugh at my misgivings.
Make the days numbered to reach my goals; yet help me to live this day as though it be my last.
Guide me in my word and organization that they may bear fruit; yet silence me from gossip that none be maligned.
Discipline me in the habit of trying and trying again; yet don’t allow myself to become foolish about one obstacle if there are 10.
Grant me the powers of discernment and grace in priority.
Favor me with patience which will concentrate my strength.
Exile me in good habits that the bad ones may drown; yet allow for myself to remain compassionate towards the weaknesses of others.
Suffer me to know that all things shall pass; yet help me count my blessings today.
Fill my cup with love to turn strangers into friend, but also provide me with discernment so that I may avoid those who hate me.
But all these things be only if Thy will.
I am a small and a lonely grape clutching the vine yet you have made me different from all others. With absolute confidence I look forward to finally ending up at the special place you have reserved for me. I trust you completely to guide me.
Help me. Show me the way. Let me become all you planned for me when my seed was planted and selected by you to sprout in the vineyard of the world.
Help this humble J.D. Student Guide me, God.
(We'll follow follow follow follow, follow the yellow brick road!...till next time!)
Ben Carroll - Class of 2014