10/19/2023 0 Comments The Writing ChrysalisToday begins an idea that started for me in 2021. I had foolishly and bravely bought a farm to run retreats and was having a soft-opening of my first retreat offering - a writing retreat - with two dear friends. After two magical days of writing together I gave them parting goodies of advent calendars with prompts, and we wrote together virtually for 25 days.
The writings I did during that time are the foundation of my book, The Writing Chrysalis: 25 days of free-writing and discovery. I’m running it virtually beginning today, and you can join our cocoon and receive a daily email with writing inspiration and a prompt. There will also be a group google doc if you wish to share your daily discoveries. The end of The Writing Chrysalis will correspond nicely with the annual Writing Chrysalis Retreat at Braving Star Farms for those who are able to attend, but it is not necessary to participate. I hope you enjoy the free-sample below, and if you are inspired to join us you can do so here for just $1 a day. https://www.daringdiscoveries.com/wildwriting.html Read the sample for free at Daring Discoveries Substack now.
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9/20/2023 0 Comments You must whip your horse Lee Ann!"You must whip your horse Lee Ann!" I will never forget those words that the horseback riding instructor often shouted at middle-school aged me. On my horse, I was decked out in knit riding pants (with sugar cubes in the pocket), boots, a helmet, and of course, a whip. I was scolded so often with those accented words that even my family teased me about them and won’t ever forget them either. But this was an early experience I remember having with horses, and clearly, it didn’t sit well with me. I love animals, why on earth would I want to whip them? Continue reading for free right now on Daring Discoveries Substack.
9/4/2023 0 Comments CompassionAs part of the final in-person module to get certified in Equine-Facilitated Learning by The HERD Institute, you are required to lead a mock session. I already knew after I was certified that I was going to want to combine EFL and the work I had been doing as a Daring Way™ Facilitator, so I decided to be brave and just give it a try. Having run courses on Brené Brown’s 10 Guideposts for Wholehearted Living many times, I chose one that I am always working on: Cultivating play and rest: Letting go of exhaustion as a status symbol and productivity as self-worth. Keep reading for free at Daring Discoveries' Substack now.
9/3/2023 0 Comments ConnectionAfter I had my first hit of Equine-Facilitated Learning (EFL) at Brené Brown’s Courage Camp in 2017, I was hooked. So much so that I was willing to drive five hours away in 2018 to attend a Texas gathering of Certified Daring Way™ Facilitators that was going to include more EFL. When I learned that only one or two of us would actually be going in with a horse, I felt my anxiety and scarcity rise. Keep reading for free at Daring Discoveries' substack now.
5/18/2023 0 Comments What I wish I had saidWhy is it the next morning you know exactly what you wished you had said? I was part of an online panel yesterday for my Qi Gong teacher and his team about why I became a Holden Qi Gong teacher. You can watch it here, but here’s what I really wish I had said.
2/28/2023 0 Comments The Daring HERD® CourageOn February 18th, 2023, the first Daring HERD® Courage Workshop was held at Braving Star Farms. It was amazing! My very first personal experience with equine-facilitated learning in 2017 was actually all about courage, so I wanted to share it here, along with the four components of ordinary courage (as defined by Brené Brown's research). 1. Rumbling with vulnerability
I entered the arena with the side of my chest aching. I had shingles there when I was in High School, and often when I get anxious, I feel the nerve endings where the huge, painful blisters once were. We hadn’t been given instructions for what to do in the arena, and not knowing what is expected of me is a panic inducer. Later I would find out the vagueness had been on purpose because we were meant to be rumbling with vulnerability, but all I had in that moment was the shitty first draft I had written before going in: People are watching me. I will cry. I won’t know what to do and will second guess myself. I will step in shit. 2/22/2023 0 Comments Self-Compassion StoriesToday is the start of 40 days of art journaling with Self-Compassion Stories. Below is the first self-compassion story and creative component. If you enjoy it we'd love to have you join us for free in the SCS Facebook Group! You can grab the book on Amazon in kindle or paperback form. Art journals can be purchased here. 1 Love is tattooed on our hearts8/25/2020 2 Comments 40 Self-Compassion QuotesI've always loved collecting quotes. Here are 40 related to self-compassion that I've discovered over the years to use during Daring Discoveries' Annual Self-Compassion Saturday. And if you are ready to practice self-compassion for 40 days, grab your copy of Self-Compassion Stories. “Self-compassion is like a muscle. The more we practice flexing it, especially when life doesn’t go exactly according to plan (a frequent scenario for most of us), the stronger and more resilient our compassion muscle becomes.”
- Sharon Salzberg “Self-compassion is like a muscle. The more we practice flexing it, especially when life doesn’t go exactly according to plan (a frequent scenario for most of us), the stronger and more resilient our compassion muscle becomes.” Here are some of my favorite self-love finds and suggestions:
"I believe that for every illness or ailment known to man, that God has a plant out here that will heal it. We just need to keep discovering the properties for natural healing.”
― Vannoy Gentles Fite 8/12/2019 0 Comments 8 Lessons I Learned from Building with LEGO Blocks Everyday for a Year: Lesson 7 Creative Magic Spaceships7. The only way to make your dreams come true is to take the time to dream and be willing to ask for what you need (and that’s freaking hard).
8/6/2019 1 Comment 8 Lessons I Learned from Building with LEGO Blocks Everyday for a Year: Lesson 6 Vulnerable Magic6. Working with whatever vulnerable feelings you have, instead of against them, is the way you truly honor and connect with yourself and others.
7/22/2019 1 Comment 8 Lessons I Learned from Building with LEGO Blocks Everyday for a Year: Lesson 5 Magical Layers5. You have to build layers of self-trust that will become stronger than the doubts and fears.
7/1/2019 1 Comment 8 Lessons I Learned from Building with LEGO Blocks Everyday for a Year: Lesson 3 Resisting Resistance the Magical Way3. Resistance is a real tangible thing that will try in every way imaginable to keep you blocked, but you can learn to work with it instead of against it.
7/1/2019 2 Comments 8 Lessons I Learned from Building with LEGO Blocks Everyday for a Year: Lesson 2 Magical Play2. Even if you are on the ground and building with blocks, you may not be playing. To play, you must let go, and be in the moment.
6/27/2019 2 Comments 8 Lessons I Learned from Building with LEGO Blocks Everyday for a Year: Lesson 1 Believe in Your Magic Words1. If your creative voice isn’t strong, and your inner critic is out of control, find and fill yourself with other courageous voices, and trust that you will learn by example.
4/24/2019 2 Comments Integrity 6 Month ReportIn the past I've done an annual report and shared it on my blog at the end of the year, inspired by author and artist Cynthia Morris.
When I was recently reading Atomic Habits by James Clear he suggested in addition to that, an "Integrity Report" six months into the year that consists of the following questions. 1. What are the core values that drive my life and work? 2. How am I living and working with integrity right now? 3. How can I set a higher standard in the future? I hope those questions inspire and help you at this point in your year. Below are my answers if you are interested. And I would be honored to witness yours or hear about your experience if you spend some time reflecting or journaling on them. Lee Ann 4/15/2019 2 Comments Dear Critical VoiceDear critical voice,
I know I don’t say it enough, so I wanted to publicly thank you today. I have misunderstood and judged you most of my life. I thought you were out to get me and always assumed that your intentions were evil. I experienced hurt and felt like I had to hustle to make you happy, but I was never perfect enough. 10/1/2018 0 Comments My Essential Oil Journey
Since I signed up as a DoTERRA Wellness Advocate and got my first kit of oils in October 2016, I thought I’d tell you my essential oil story to commerate my anniversary!
I am a super sensitive person, especially with smells, so I avoided all fragrances in my home and with my skincare products. 9/6/2018 1 Comment Tea Spirit of September 2018September 2018 "Summer Wind" Eastern Beauty Oolong Tea from Global Tea HutThis month's painting was inspired by this beautiful and gifted Tea and the suggestion from Global Tea Hut to sun brew her "by putting the tea in a glass out in the sun (for around two hours) and then refrigerate." Easy to do in the Texas heat!
8/30/2018 0 Comments Tea Spirit of August 2018August 2018 "Cloud Goddess" Tieguanyin Oolong Tea from Global Tea HutEyes that are rooted
Take you to new heights Vision is expanded 7/28/2018 7 Comments Tea Spirit of July 2018July 2018 “Duck Shit” Dancong Oolong Tea from Global Tea Hut“We visited another 800-year-old tree and all sat and held Her, praying for medicine and healing for this place. She had a brand new five-story building looming over Her, with air-conditioners humming up all the floors, sewage smells and power lines passing within meters of Her majestic branches.”
-Global Tea Hut Tea & Tao Magazine, July 2018 6/29/2018 13 Comments Tea Spirit of June 2018June 2018 “Energy” Dian Hong Tea from Global Tea HutThe 2018 version of the online course I offer, 100 Days of Building Creativity, began on June 16th. Each year I update the course with new daily creative courage quotes (quotes by different people on the subject of creativity), and add more resources, including a new guiding poem. This year we are being guided by the words of Mary Oliver and her poem, Mindful:
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AuthorLee Ann Hilbrich (she/her) is an author of three books, a Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator of Brené Brown's work, a Qi Gong and Yoga Teacher, and a SoulCollage® Facilitator. She is also certified in Equine-Facilitated Learning. Learning. Archives
October 2023
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Lee Ann Hilbrich, MA, LPC, CDWF, RYT 200
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