WHO AM I?

Who Am I? A Reflection on a Life Well Spent

I am a Marine. That identity is indelibly etched into my soul. Once a Marine, always a Marine—the leadership, moral, and character principles I learned in the Corps form the foundation of who I am. It is a code that demands discipline, integrity, and honor. Yet, paradoxically, it has instilled in me a disdain for anything superficial or pretentious. This disposition makes me "not like green," perhaps a nod to the true meaning of service over show.

I am a lawyer. My passion for the law is boundless. I revere the intricate justice system and cherish the endless pursuit of knowledge that law demands. I have dedicated my life to practicing it with precision, empathy, and integrity. Yet, I observe with regret the moral lapses of the Supreme Court and the universal greed and failure of empathy among many of my peers. The law, as it was intended, is a noble calling; its practitioners should rise above mere self-interest.

I am a philosopher. To me, the unexamined life is not worth living. I have spent my years examining my own life and the lives of those around me, grappling with the great questions of existence. I have sought to understand morality, purpose, and the essence of truth. Philosophy is not just an abstract discipline—it is a way of life, a relentless commitment to seeking clarity and embracing the absurdity of life’s fleeting nursery rhyme.

I am a writer. Words are my craft, my sanctuary, and my means of expression. As a journeyman, writer, and poet, I have poured my heart into every line, finding both solace and purpose in the process. My first book, Absurd Clarity: A Fleeting Nursery Rhyme of Life, is a testament to this journey—a chronicle of critical thinking, an invitation to explore existential truths, and a celebration of a life well-lived. And though it is my first, it will not be my last.

I am a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. In this role, I have fallen short of the hands-on nurturing I might have provided, yet I am immensely proud of my progeny. They are exceptional individuals, shining examples of resilience and character. In them, I see the legacy of my influence, however imperfect it may have been.

Most of all, I am a man who takes pride in his moral code. I know that life is fleeting and that I will not be remembered in history’s annals. But that is not what matters. What matters is that I have lived a life of integrity, sought to improve, and influenced others, however subtly, for the better.

Reflecting on this journey, I feel no regret—only a quiet satisfaction in a well-spent life. Mortality does not frighten me; instead, it drives me to cherish the moments I have and leave behind a legacy not of fame but of thought, care, and truth. For that, I am grateful. For that, I am content.

William James Spriggs