We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jackie Hibbard. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jackie below.
Jackie, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
I love this question because it seems like we tend to think we need to blend in or be like everyone else in the room. But the truth is we are all different and have so many gifts that are ours uniquely to share.
I love learning, growing and am curious about myself and the world. I have always wanted to serve others and make the world better. I find that I follow my passions and curiosity and continually learn new skills to add to my toolbox. If I don’t know how to do something or want to learn more, I might read a book or article, take a class or workshop and watch others who I want to learn from. Each time I follow my passion and curiosity it leads me in the right path for the moment.
I learned to trust when I felt nudged or called and to listen to that still, small voice inside. Whether you call that God or intuition or Spirit or all of it matters little. Listening, trusting and following for me has been the key.
I used to be afraid to shine and share my voice and gifts for fear of judgement, ridicule and because I didn’t look like everyone else in the room. Slowly over time and with encouragement from trusted colleagues and friends, it is easier to trust my gifts and let myself shine and serve others so that they can be their best self.
I can honestly say I don’t know anyone else who has degrees in Education and Theology and certifications in Equine-partnered Coaching and also Spiritual Direction. I have worked with kids, youth and adults over the years in non profit volunteer management, faith communities, hospice and in my own equine-partnered business, Dancing Spirit. I celebrate that I have found ways to integrate all of these passions to serve the world.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Dancing Spirit is my small business started in 2016. I am currently in the midst of integrating all of my gifts, skills and passions to offer equine-partnered coaching and learning and Spiritual Direction for individuals and groups. Our hope is to be companions on your journey of life.
The horses and I have been partnering to offer one on one and group activities since 2016. Programs range from one on one coaching sessions, group meditation with horses, grief retreats and wellness programs. Many people are familiar with equine therapy, but I am not a therapist so what we do is therapeutic sometimes but not therapy. We meet people where they are and offer opportunities for learning, growth and wellness. I have training in education, ministry, chaplaincy, life-coaching with horses, spiritual direction, and grief work along with trauma education.
This year we launched our first ever Girls Empowerment Group with Horses to build life skills such as boundary setting, leadership, confidence building, emotional awareness, and team building. We had so much fun together and we all taught each other and cheered each other on. It was wonderful to watch everyone learn, grow and help each other succeed over the sessions. More than 1 girl asked to do the program again when we ended! Several adults I know said, “I wish someone had taught me these skills when I was their age!”
We look forward to offering more of these events or custom create a group like it for girls of all ages. My hope/plan is to expand the Empowerment Group programming for women and the LGBTQ+ community.
We also are offering grief retreats and programs for both kids and adults in partnership with Tru Community Care and Heartlight Center. These programs offer a safe place to process grief of all kinds, in particular the death of a loved one. The horses (and volunteers) offer their gentle presence and allow participants to feel all the feels without judgement.
For the last 5 years (with a short break because of COVID) we have had a program called Horses Helping Seniors. I love elders and find they have so much wisdom but are often isolated and lonely. We travel to visit elders in senior living communities or activity centers and bring a horse to interact with them. It is heart warming to watch as an elder pets a horse and interacts with them. Smiles, laughter, stories of days gone by or horses in their lifetime are frequent occurrences. The horses bring brightness and happiness to people’s lives and their big hearts and gentle presence bring a sense of warmth and peace.
One of the things I love to do is to partner with others. One June 21, we will once again partner with Creativity Alive in Boulder to offer a Solstice Sound Journey with Horses. Our friends from Creativity Alive will offer sound healing while our 2 miniature horses roam around to interact with participants. We have done several of these events and people have shared that they were able to slow down, re-connect with themselves and/or nature, and gain a renewed sense of peace and calm that had been missing. This event will be held in Boulder and more information is forthcoming. In addition to it being Summer Solstice, it also aligns with a full moon, so it promises to be a special evening.
Also new this year is one on one and group Spiritual Direction. I received a certification last year and am slowly building up my practice and offerings. Spiritual Direction or Soul Care is for anyone on a Spiritual path who wants to go deeper and explore questions such as what is my purpose, prayer, transition, or grief with a trusted companion.
My other work/ministry is as Associate Pastor at Community United Church of Christ in Boulder. We are a welcoming community of spiritual seekers, with an ever-evolving progressive view of the Holy, that is actively engaged in building a world with justice for all creation. We have worship services and are quite active in social justice movements in our community. Come check us out!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Cultivate Curiosity – I have always been curious. I want to learn more, experience as much as possible, and find ways to help others be their best self. If I feel unsettled in my heart, soul or mind, I get curious and slow down, get quiet and listen to discern what is going on and heal if needed. If I am sitting with someone who is struggling, I allow myself to be fully present and be curious with them as they explore their question, situation or desire. If I witness an injustice or tragedy, I get curious and then get busy doing something about it. My advice to others who want to cultivate curiosity is to listen. Listen to yourself and follow where your passion is. Listen to others (in other words, use your ears, not your mouth). Listen to God/Spirit/the Sacred/the Universe … whatever you call that which is greater than you. Ask questions without judgement or thinking you already know the answer or the “best” way. Stay open. Keep learning.
Seek Support – One of the greatest learnings and teachings from my work with horses is that horses thrive in a herd – they need one another to survive and thrive. Each one has a role, a purpose that enables the whole to function and thrive. Humans are like this too but we have been taught this myth of individualism in this culture. I would not be where I am without the love and support from countless people over the course of my life. Whether I call them family, friends, mentors, colleagues, therapists, coaches, pastors, chaplains, teachers …. these people have been there in good times and hard ones. They have been my cheerleaders. They helped me when I was hurt, lost, or grieving. They saw gifts in me I hadn’t been able to see yet. They encourage my dreams. They help me thrive.
My advice – seek support. It’s okay to ask for help. In my world I call asking for help a spiritual practice because it takes intentionality and effort because we are taught we “should” be able to do things on our own. This is fallacy and truly a myth! Find your people who will help you thrive. It may be several people or just a couple – you know what is right for you.
Perseverance – Throughout my life I’ve heard “you can’t”, “nothing can be done”, “who do you think you are”, “it’s impossible”, “you’ll never be able to”, or some such similar messages. But I kept trying. Or I learned more. Or I tried something different. Or I asked for help. Or I stopped to listen. I never gave up. I found a way through or around whatever the challenge or obstacle was often because I was curious and sought support. It’s interesting these are all interconnected!
My advise – keep trying and seeking regardless of the challenge.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
Oh my gosh, just one book!?! So many to choose from … books by Maya Angelou, Brene Brown, Rachel Naomi Remen and Paulo Coelho. If I’m going to choose just one, I’ll say The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. This book weaves a tale about a boy seeking his destiny, his personal calling, following his dream. He confronts obstacles along the way as we all do – obstacles of being told what he is seeking is silly and impossible. He loses sight of his dream along the way and finds it again. Another obstacle is love and how we mistakenly think that we will hurt our loved ones if we pursue our dream. The truth is that those who truly love us want what’s best for us and will help us pursue our dream. A third obstacle is fear of the defeats that will happen along the way to pursue our dream. But these defeats help us too if we keep on keeping on rather than giving up because it is hard. The fourth obstacle in the story is the fear of actually realizing our dreams. Some feel guilty or don’t feel worthy to achieve their dream so they stop just short so as not to succeed. This book has been such an inspiration to me to keep going, keep asking for help, and stay on the path. I return to it over and over!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dancingspirithorse.com
- Instagram: @dancingspirithorses
- Facebook: @dancingspirithorses
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-hibbard-4aa07367
- Other: www.cuccboulder.org
Image Credits
photos: Jackie Hibbard
