Malcontent Visionaries
Judith L Harrison 
Recently when given an opportunity to identify my ideal client, I realized the majority of great folks with whom I work, are dissatisfied or some
Recently when given an opportunity to identify my ideal client, I realized the majority of great folks with whom I work, are dissatisfied or some shade of malcontent VISIONARIES.
That is a lofty term so let me explain what I mean by visionary. These are people who:
* are good listeners;
* they show real interest, they’re non judgemental,
* they play full on, unconcerned of what others think
* they do for others without a thought of their own reward,
* they are always involved.
Right on the heels of this exercise while working with my client; let’s call her Sherry for confidentiality, I wondered if Sherry would identify herself as one of these visionaries. Her case is complex and over the last three to four years she has been fighting depression. There was a motor vehicle accident, chronic pain, PTSD, surgeries, financial loss, loss of satisfying employment, not to mention the impact of the current pandemic. Resulting in pretty much a total loss of her self-identity and self-worth.
Then last week a definite breakthrough!
Inspired by the nice weather Sherry got fired up and began cleaning the yard, working in the flower beds, removing debris in preparation for spring. Like a pebble dropped in water, ripples of Sherry’s energy caught up with her family and they all pitched in. After a few days, a tired and sore Sherry was glowing because she felt so satisfied with her efforts, especially the acknowledgement of her family. Still at this moment she did not self-identify as a Visionary – not by her terms at least. In the very next session she told me: “It’s the first time in a long time that I am feeling hopeful”. As I listened and probed along with how Sherry felt over the loss of two important people in her life, we realized they were her Visionaries, they were her visible source, of self-identity. What she saw in them and lost, she felt she had lost within herself. The strength in the face of difficulty, obstacles and vulnerability, was left open to fear, anxiety and depression. Now she was able to begin to recognize the visionary from within.
What a breakthrough for Sherry.
What an aha moment for me.
Depression does not arrive in the same vehicle for all people.
“The Iceberg” by Virginia Satir is a model of exploration for people going through change and chaos.
We’ll take a closer look at what lies below the waterline, what drives our behaviours and experiences?