The Heartbeat: "A few hours with you was worth 10 years of therapy."

The light you find in the dark can be the most beautiful.

The light you find in the dark can be the most beautiful.

I recently completed a 5-day Huna ancient Hawaiian healing training...

It's already amplified the coaching I'm doing with clients, these epic women of color struggling with everything from experiencing self-love to figuring out how to live out their greater purpose.

One of the kumus (teachers) shared how a moment of tender emotions after a conflict with her husband led to her son showing her the most beautiful vulnerability.

By creating space for the darkness and light to simultaneously exist, she experienced a new depth of connection with her son.

At lunch, I remembered how the same happened for me.

I was going through a wave of tumbling emotions as the holidays kicked off during Thanksgiving, so I called my daughter's godmother — a fellow Asian American — who I knew would understand.

I went into my room so my daughter wouldn't hear my conversation, but she sensed my feelings. She walked into her room beside mine, closed her doors, and then came back a few minutes later, whispering to me:

"Mom, when you get off the phone with Auntie Lisa, come to my room."

I did as I was told, and my daughter welcomed me into her room to sit in a bean bag chair facing her.

"Welcome to your therapy session," she said. "Please, take a seat."

I followed instructions, and Wilder began to ask things like:

"Please tell me how you're feeling."

"Where do you think that came from?"

"Do you think it has to do with your family?"

"Tell me more..."

She was modeling questions her child therapist has asked her. I stopped her midway through our conversation to say:

"You know you don't have to take care of me, right? I'm an adult and I can handle my own stuff."

She rolled her eyes.

"Of course, Mom, I know that. I just want to be here for you."

So, we kept talking. I was honest. Age appropriate. She nodded, took notes on a legal pad. By the end of our "session," she handed me what she had been jotting down. A picture of a horse, our shared Chinese Zodiac symbol.

"This is to remind you of how strong and beautiful you are."

I took the piece of paper from her. It now has a home on the nightstand beside my bed.

"Now, when do you want to schedule your next session? We can't do next week, because I'm at Dad's, but if you want to do the week after, we can do that."

I started laughing. This moment of connection with my nine-year-old, of being wow'd by the human in front of me, of experiencing her heart — it wouldn't have happened if I hadn't allowed myself to feel my sadness, hurt, frustration, and stress.

I get to keep this unforgettable moment with my daughter, because of my willingness to hold "both."

This week, I kicked off a call with my new coaching client and during the first part of our Breakthrough Session, she mentioned her family's core values. Their words form a special acronym. I loved the idea, and when Wilder got home from school, I asked if she'd like to create an acronym for us.

I took her through a quick version of the Values exercise I do with clients during Breakthrough Sessions, and the words we came up with together are:

• Unconditional Love
• Trust
• Adventure
• Magic
• Respect
• Learning
• Fun

I wrote down the first letters of these words and couldn't come up with a fun acronym at first until Wilder pointed out:

"It spells ULTRA! ULTRA FM."

That's when I decided to add "Abundance."

"Now it can spell 'ULTRAFAM," I told her.

That's what I feel like she and I are — our very own ULTRAFAM.

Are you able to simultaneously hold the "light" and the "dark?" What gifts can you find in each?

Love,

Judy

P.S. My client told me that after the first couple of hours together, she felt it was better than 10 years of therapy — you can learn more about what these Breakthrough Sessions are all about on a complimentary meet & greet call.

Meet NiceTiger's first official client!

Yes, Wild Hearted Words has been rebranding for a minute — we've been so busy with client projects in Q4, we haven't had a chance to finish our own refresh. •ᴗ•

Susan Lieu is our first "official" NiceTiger client under our new name. When we got onto a call earlier in the week, she showed me the tiger on her sweatshirt and then stood up to show me the tiger pattern on her pants.

Yes, Susan, channel that ferocity! We're right there with ya.

Finally, a Shop that serves your heart AND business...

I’m excited to announce my shop is now open! I'm turning my hard-earned knowledge into accessible resources that you can grab anytime, anywhere, to elevate your life and your business.

To kick things off, here's an exclusive opportunity to invest in what'll set you up for the best 2025 possible. Use this special coupon code to learn boldy — and get 50% off while you're at it. :)

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The F*ck Saving Face podcast — we talk about pleasure (gasp).

My recent guest on Episode 131 is Cassindy Chao, a modern Asian American matchmaker. She was so much fun on this latest episode that I immediately wanted to record a part 2!

Tune in to find out why her own comments are making her blush...

Listen to the full episode

Psst... NiceTiger is slowly coming to life!

Welcome to a team of strategic creatives who create mighty results for your branding, marketing, sales, and platform. In a world of algorithms, you can be the anomaly.

You’re receiving this email because you signed up on my website, booked a call with me, or joined one of my events — and you're curious how to create a life and business you love, especially one that may not look like the one you were told you were supposed to live.

We're excited to start teasing bits of our new rebrand, NiceTiger: Uncage your brand's potential.