03/06/2026
You got this today! You can do it!
My name is Christine and I am 71 years old.
I am thinking of my grandchildren beginning their Leaving and Junior Certificate today, and I am wishing them all the best this week. All of me wants the best that life can offer them in their future personal and professional lives.
I left school at 16 with what is now Junior certificate and went to work in Dublin in the Civil Service. Back then the focus was on getting a job, a pensionable job if possible.
I had alrady started 5th year in secondary school and so decided to do my Leaving Certificate exams by attending night classes in Dublin. I passed it just about!
Office work was not for me, or should I say it was not enough for me, and so I found myself working in the kitchen in the local hospital where I found more fulfillment in shining silver teapots than filing documents. This was much to the embarrassment of my parents, at the time.
Later I got married and had my lovely family.
Then at 35 I was searching for support for my marriage, parenting skills, and generally struggling in my life, and I went for some counselling, then I went back to education, beginning with a Personal Development Course, then a Family Ministry certificate course, and then a 2 year Introduction to Counselling Diploma which led me to a Professional Training in Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Five years after completing my training as a therapist, I completed a Clinical Supervision Course. By then I was a well-established practicing Counselor/Psychotherapist and Supervisor and Facilitator of Workshops.
I was 50 years old when I began my Master's degree and this brought me to building a third level training and education institute, The International College for Personal and Professional Development, ICPPD, which offers 4-year BA Honors degree programmes in Counseling and Psychotherapy in Athlone, Galway and Dublin.
3 years ago, at 68 I was awarded a PhD in Psychotherapy.
I am now semi-retired and work part time as a Psychotherapist and Supervisor and Facilitator of workshop and as a Conference speaker. I also lecture part time, but mostly now I have time to do fun things like playing the ukulele, making ceramics, and line dancing.
I'm really interested in researching Eco psychotherapy and how my love of nature can support others in finding their innate nature and reconnecting with the wisdom of the natural world This is my next academic and professional chapter… and it comes from my love and passion for the Earth and its beauty, persistence, and how it shapes me at this time of my life.
Despite the mistakes and regrets I have in my life, I also have a sense that I am where I am meant to be in my life, and I got here by following my heart, listening to my body, and hearing my dreams and intuition, then getting the information I needed to make it happen, and most of all, then by doing it!
I am writing this today in the hope that I can support and encourage you to listen to your head, heart and gut and - follow your dreams - Lean do brionglóidí, or Lean do chuid aislingí, as we say in our beautiful Irish language.
You are never too old to learn and to grow. John Moriarity the Irish writer, mystic, and philosopher had this to say “The real question is am I still growing? Have I become a finished creation? Am I dead or am I still growing? Is my life still an adventure?” - so if you are doing exams, or wondering what to do with your life, then, my hope for you is that you don't let your past experiences define you, you are more than your past, and I hope you continue to outgrow past perspectives, that you embrace wonder, and remain open to life's adventures and surprises.
I ask you today - what do you dream of now?
