I just got back from four full, colorful days down in Dallas—and I can still taste the Texas sunshine (and maybe, well, two extra glasses of Kistler Chardonnay). This trip was a whirlwind of women, wisdom, and a little self-made magic, and I just have to share.

First off, I was invited by the fantastic 55 Seventy Club to give a talk at their Women's Wine Chat - a room full of bold, brilliant women clinking glasses and craving connection? Sign me up. I had the honor of speaking about something that has been tugging on my heartstrings lately: the fear-joy connection. Here’s the gist—joy isn’t just some fluffy feeling; it biologically overrides fear because it muscles its way down those same neuropathways in our brains. (Neuroscience and a nice glass of red? That’s my idea of a perfect night.) A 2023 study of 1,200 folks found that the simple daily practice of naming joy moments led to a whopping 41% drop in anxiety in just 30 days. AMAZING.

So many women came up afterwards, sharing their stories about fear holding them back from creativity, connection, and just plain fun. The more I weave this concept into my life, the more I want to share it. If you’re curious, pop a vote in below. I’m thinking of offering a free online workshop on practical ways to break the “fear habit” and welcome more joy.

Art, Sisters, & Caffeine: Dallas Gems

The next two days, I soaked up time with. my sister-in-law. We got up earlier each morning and walked through her neighborhood before it got too hot (Texas sure is hot and humid?!). Something about walking and talking seems to bring up the best conversations. We made our way to Drip Coffee on Lovers Lane, known for its creative iced coffee drinks. I couldn't do the dirt n' worms latte though, and stuck with my go-to, a breve iced latte.

I found some solo time to explore the Native Texas Park on the SMU campus, winding my way through waves of wildflowers in full bloom and humming with bees. Finding time in nature is something I try to do most days, especially when I travel. This helps me to adjust to a new time zone and fall into the local rhythm. Coming out of the park, I discovered the Meadows Museum: intimate, unexpected, with a generous dose of surprising local connections woven through the exhibits of predominantly Spanish art. Places like the Native Texas Park and the Meadows Museum are treasures because they invite quiet, personal encounters - you leave changed, maybe a little more attuned to the subtle joys in your own life.

And oh, Dallas knows how to feed you well. Sitting at the bar and enjoying tuna tartare with a Spanish G& T at Sachet was the perfect place to start my visit and reconnect with my sister-in-law. But my favorite meal was at Las Palmas where we splurged and got their chips and queso with our margaritas, barely leaving room for our main course - I highly recommend their chicken tinga chile relleno.

On the flight back to Montana, I put the finishing touches on my Santa Fe guide—coming next month for my fellow Dare Guides members! I was scribbling away in my joy journal, too. This is a new daily habit I picked up from Alex Elle’s Substack about her “Joy Spotting Practice.” She’s absolutely right: joy doesn’t have to arrive like fireworks. Sometimes it’s found in the slow ritual of making a matcha, or the satisfaction of folding warm laundry. She calls these moments “glimmers”—small but mighty. It's all about slowing down, getting present, and letting the ordinary feel extraordinary.

I also savored a really good podcast: “The 7 Tools to Live the Life You Want.” I love Chase Jarvis’ premise. That safety is an illusion, it doesn’t actually exist in nature (so why do we seek it out?). He lays out seven tools to help us move past fear: attention, time, intuition, constraints (a.k.a. boundaries!), failure, play, and community. These are the scaffolding for a life that’s vital, resilient, and, most importantly, joyful.

So, as you head into this Memorial Day weekend, my wish for you is simple: Pause for a few “glimmers.” Trust that Detours and even small choices to seek joy can change your heart—and, friends, maybe even your brain.

Let me know below if you’d like to learn more about fear, joy, and how to make daily life your own beautiful detour. And in the meantime, savor whatever brings you delight—whether it’s a golden hour walk or the syrupy sweetness of Texas mole.