My father used to say, “Alex, people will judge you by your shoes, your house, and the people you know. Let them. The only judgment that should keep you awake at night is the one you make about yourself.”
I remembered those words when I joined the military at nineteen.
I worked hard, studied late, and learned to remain calm when everyone around me was losing control. After completing my initial service, I earned my undergraduate degree and eventually attended law school through a combination of military education benefits, scholarships, and years of sacrifice.
My career did not advance because someone opened a door for me. It advanced because I kept showing up prepared.
I learned to read a financial record until the numbers stopped looking like numbers and began telling a story. I learned to recognize the difference between a witness who was frightened and one who was lying. I learned that a person could be charming, generous, and respected in public while concealing something ugly in private.
