Hey there, everyone! I’m excited to share with you today an incredible conversation I recently had with Judge Stephanie Boyd, a phenomenal judge residing over cases in Bexar County, Texas (and yes, that’s pronounced “Bear” – not how you’d think, right?). 

Stephanie Boyd originally hails from Shreveport, Louisiana, and she brought a lot of her down-home wisdom and warmth to our talk. Here’s a delightful dive into her journey, her upbringing, and some golden nuggets of wisdom that left me inspired—and hopefully, will do the same for you.

From Shreveport to San Antonio

Judge Boyd opened up about her roots and how they shaped her work ethic and life choices. Imagine growing up under the wings of a powerhouse of a mom, a caring grandmother, and two uncles who were steadfast male figures. It's a story of resilience that began in Shreveport and ventured through San Antonio for law school. "Even though San Antonio is a big city, it has a small-town feel to it," Judge Boyd recalls. Thanks to GPS, she’s still figuring out the city's ins and outs, but isn’t that part of the adventure?

Early Lessons in Work Ethic

Judge Boyd shared some candid memories from her childhood. Picture this: you didn’t attend kindergarten because it wasn’t mandatory! I know, mind-blowing, right? She started first grade already knowing how to read and tell time—thanks to her mom and grandmother. And if you think kids today need a plethora of presents to be content, you’re in for a revelation. Christmas meant one gift, but that gift was cherished. Her mom even applied to work on a garbage truck to make ends meet—an ultimate lesson in dignity and hard work.

Choices vs. Mistakes

One of the thought-provoking aspects of our conversation was Judge Boyd's take on choices versus mistakes. She uses a simple umbrella analogy to differentiate between the two. If you know it's raining and you take an umbrella but grab the wrong one by mistake, no biggie—that’s an error anyone can understand. But if you consciously walk out with an umbrella you know isn't yours just because it’s pouring, oh boy, that’s a choice. It got me thinking about how we reflect on our actions and their consequences. 

A Peek Into the Courtroom

Judge Boyd's court is not your typical courtroom. She emphasizes rehabilitation over punishment, aiming to understand the "why" behind a person’s actions. She holds compliance hearings for people navigating probation, helping them stay aligned. Her approach has gained transparency through live streaming on YouTube—much to the chagrin of some attorneys but, in her opinion, it keeps the judiciary accountable. And guess what? Her courtroom also fetches commentary on TikTok and Instagram!

Floral Love and Skin Secrets

Let’s pivot to something lighter but just as fascinating. Judge Boyd always has a fresh bouquet of flowers on her desk. Why? As her mom put it, if you’re spending a lot of your time at work, it better be as pleasant as possible. Also, our Judge has such glowing skin at 56 that I had to ask for her secrets. It all boils down to a strict regimen of LANAGE products. Note to self: moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.

Living In the Moment

And this is something we all need to hear—take time for yourself. Judge Boyd shared a poignant reminder that no matter how work-centric we become, life keeps spinning. Her advice? Take a day off, walk around, do absolutely nothing—just breathe. She even recommends planning a trip to somewhere you’ve always wanted to go. Paris, perhaps?

Farewell from the Judge

Finally, she left us with some wisdom about aging being a gift. Embrace it, because if you’re not aging...well, the alternative isn’t too appealing. She suggests setting aside time for things you’re passionate about. Her trips to Paris became a yearly ritual, reminding us that life is short but rich with little joys. 

That wraps up my chat with the amazing Judge Stephanie Boyd. For those curious minds and vigilant viewers, keep an eye on her YouTube courtroom sessions. Until next time, keep making good choices, cherish your Christmases (even the one-gift kinds), and maybe pick up a bouquet of flowers for your desk. You deserve it!

Stay fabulous, 

Jen