Good Morning!
What you won’t see in these pictures is me—9 months sleep deprived and not entirely able (or willing) to arrive one hour early to wait in the holding garage with the rest of the grads—wildly chasing the line of graduates beginning their descent into the auditorium, my arms clenching my cap and gown, stoles flying in the wind. Nicole, who also brought bobby pins for me, pinned on my cap, adjusted my stoles, made sure my hair was not completely thrashed—preparing me in mere seconds for the morning’s events. Bless her for putting my insides and my outsides back together that morning!
My application is submitted! I am awaiting pre approval to take my exam so I can start my private practice.
I cannot believe the extra space in my mind and heart these days; the weight lifted from my entire being. I told my friends I have catastrophic thoughts something will happen that will suck my time and attention again; that this life of ease and liberty is too good to be true and won’t last...
I have scheduled couples coaching appointments next week! I am still working on my website, but if you hear or think of anyone who might enjoy coaching sessions (individual or couples), you can send them my way. Here is my Psychology Today profile that can easily be shared.
I do my best to get to the pain points quickly and efficiently. If I can help people see the ways they deceive themselves, they can then decide if they want to choose something better. (We all do this—tell ourselves stories that feel better than facing the truth.) But through the discomfort of what is real is the path to strengthening and healing relationships. This can be taught; it can be learned. It’s not comfortable, but it’s the most inspiring journey one can choose. It is pure Gold. Hence, my coaching business is called Hearts as Gold Life Coaching. (There has been a slight hiccup with my preferred name/wbsite for my therapy practice so I may have to go back to the drawing board. Nonetheless, I am completely THRILLED to be doing this.) Hopefully they will be live soon, but I am enjoying the slow life—puzzle building, walks, reading and reading and reading, naps!
I love creation—creating something that infuses life, goodness, courage, and honesty into the world. We can change our patterns, and the changes we make will ripple through the eternities. The power is within us—in our hearts, our minds. It’s not without resistance, not without things not going our way, not without fear! But resistance means growth is now possible.
Speaking of growth, my Sister in Law, Sarah, started a private (and group), performance coaching business. She is a runner, has spent a decade coaching D1 runners (including national qualifiers), and she’s incredible. She was also a therapist so she coaches her clients through maintaining mental acuity for race-day success—PRs! Here is her website. One of my favorite descriptions she uses to describe what she does is that she helps her clients feel as in control on race day as they do in practice. That is gold: When the stakes are highest, am I living up to my highest vision of myself? Am I who I really want to be when the pressure is on? This is becoming my everyday practice: Where am I not performing in alignment with who I know I want to be, with what I know I want to achieve? Where am I allowing someone/something else to drive my decision-making?
Super challenging. The quest of a lifetime. And also the path to liberation.
And worth every ounce of the sweat, blood, and tears it will require!
I love you all.
Happy summer!
Christina Judd, MSW
Pictures are of our gallivanting around SLC after graduation.
