Link (That’s me.)

One thing’s for sure, I don’t write about me or my family often enough in this blog, but I’m feeling rather introspective at the moment. I spend so much time thinking . . . okay, worrying . . . no, fretting about the future, I don’t make enough time to sit and think about how I’m doing and what I’m accomplishing. So, to answer a few pertinent questions:

1. How am I doing?

You know what? I’m doing really well. I’ve got a lot of good things going for me. And I’ve got the best thing any man could ask for: Mallory. She’s a strong, talented, clever, thoughtful, and caring bombshell of a woman. She supports me in all of my adventures whether it be school, home, or work. She accepts me for who I am: both the mature part and the ever present not-so-mature part. She is amazing at what she does and is a great financial support. I’ve seen her do her thing. I only wish I could do what I do with half the skill and passion that she does. In all honesty, I am so lucky to have her. And those who know her would have to agree with me.

I have no real complaints. I’m healthy. I have a loving family. I have a lot to be grateful for.

2. What have I accomplished?

I fret so much about where I’ll be working or how I’m going to provide for my family down the road, I completely miss what I’m doing now. Sometimes I need to stop and really think about what I’ve done. Here’s a list of what I’ll have accomplished from 2001-2010. (Yeah, Mal, this may make you feel “old,” but we crossed that bridge a long time ago, remember? For those who aren’t aware, early on in our courtship, Mal would often bring up the age gap between us. Finally after a couple months of dating I asked, “Well, do you want to stop dating me then?” “No! Of course not!” “Then let’s get over it.” We haven’t really discussed it much since . . .)

Back to the list:

2001: Graduate from Orem High School

2001-02: Attend one year at BYU

2002-04: Serve 25 months as a full-time missionary in Vilnius and Kaunas, Lithuania.

2006: Graduate from BYU with B.S. in Economics

2006: Start law school at THE Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law

2008: Marry Mallory Beth Meteer in the Columbus Ohio Temple (June 21, 2008)

2009: Purchase my first investments on the stock market (for me, a complete right-of-passage moment)

2009: Graduate from Ohio State with a J.D.

2009: Pass the Bar and begin practicing as a lawyer

2010: Be well into my first true career (something that I’ve been working toward for over a quarter of a century)

2010: Bring a beautiful son or daughter into the Fielding Family by Dec.31 2010 (and for those of you freaking out, it’s not unheard of for a couple to start having kids within the first 2.5 years of marriage–and no, Mal is not pregnant.)

Needless to say, I’ll have had a rather eventful decade.

3. What could I do better?

This may be a character flaw, but despite all these great things that have happened–or will happen–I still see room for improvement. I could be a better husband, I could be more thoughtful and more selfless, I could eat healthier, I could be in better shape, and I could be more devoted to God.

However, I look forward to tackling those things. Those short comings don’t scare me or depress me . . . they encourage me. I see room for improvement. I see potential. I’m good now, but I can be great. And that gives me hope and pushes me to work harder tomorrow.

4. What’s in store?

Yeah, I’m talking about the future here, but I’m not fretting about it. So what’s in store? Yeah, I don’t have a job lined up yet. But I will. I’ll make that happen. I’m sure of it. I don’t have as much control over it right now since I haven’t passed the bar yet. But I will pass the bar, and I will be working and establishing myself. I look forward to it.

But like I said, I can’t control that too well right now. But what can I control? This summer’s agenda is short but exciting for me:

a. Study for the bar (basically it’s going to be a 9-6 job for me five days a week)

b. Work out (I’ve actually purchased the P90X discs and I am stoked to get my trash kicked every day; I’m really, REALLY looking forward to this)

c. Strengthen my spiritual connection with God and my wife: read the scriptures each day; pray more fervently; attend the temple

d. Dote on my wife . . . frequently

CONCLUSION

So really, I shouldn’t fret. Yeah, I don’t have a job lined up yet, but newsflash, Lincoln, you’re not alone in that boat. I’m looking forward to this summer. Heck, I’m looking forward to this next year. A lot is going to happen. A lot is going to change. This is a great time to be alive.

So I’m going to smile more, be content with what I can do now, and pour my heart into what I have control over.