WHO ARE YOU?
Name: Lisa Browning
Birthplace: Toronto
Where do you live? Guelph
Career: Assistant Manager, Graduate & Professional Programs, Ontario Universities’ Application Centre
PLUS
Owner & Publisher, One Thousand Trees
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU, TO BE A “2018 GUELPH Y WOMEN OF DISTINCTION?”
It means the world to me! Being selected as a Woman of Distinction has given me such a feeling of acknowledgement.
It’s funny … at first I felt very uncomfortable (those old “Who do you think you are?!” messages were loud and clear!). But I’ve challenged those messages, and now, to be in the company of so many incredible women, my co-honourees, is such a blessing! I am deeply grateful to those who nominated me, and to the selection committee for having chosen me for this honour.
“IT TAKES A VILLAGE”, is this year’s theme. Describe who / what your village is like?
I am blessed to have a community of like-minded people, who have been through their own struggles, and because of that, are passionate about empowering others, and spreading the message that there is always light after the darkness.
WHERE do you find Inspiration?
I find my inspiration in nature. I walk my dog twice a day, on a trail through the wetlands surrounding my subdivision. It is there that I find peace, and that ideas and inspiration just naturally come to me. The energy of the trees is amazing, and it gives me peace. When my mind is quiet, I am able to dream.
Favorite quote / and or a favorite person?
This one is easy! My favourite quote of all time is by Marianne Williamson:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others”.
WHY did you choose this career, or did it choose you?
When I started One Thousand Trees, I had planned for it to be only a monthly on-line magazine, even though my background is in publishing. But one thing led to another (as it always does when we are doing something that we are passionate about), and the company has taken on a life of its own. I know that my purpose in this life is to empower others through telling their stories and speaking their truth, so I think I can say I chose the career, but it also chose me.
Tell us something people usually don’t know about you?
Hmmm … that’s a tough question. I think I’m pretty transparent.
WHAT did you want to be as a child?
VERY interesting question! (Or, perhaps, my answer is very telling!) I went back and forth between two different things: a writer, and a psychologist. (Maybe not as a young child – for the psychologist for sure – but certainly by high school.)
The interesting part is that now my passion is empowering others by telling their stories! I guess I’ve melded both of those aspirations!
Contact Information: * (Where can people find your business/organization)
Email Address: lisa@onethousandtrees.com
Website: http://www.onethousandtrees.com
Phone: 519-362-5494
Thank You Lisa for taking some time out of your busy schedule to chat with Wandering Wellington County!
Lisa is one of the twenty women who you will meet May, 3rd at the River Run Centre, Guelph Y 2018 Women of Distinction Honorees at the Fundraising Gala. Please join us at this great fundraising gala for the Guelph YMCA/YWCA, here the link for more information.
https://www.guelphy.org/en/community-events-and-programs/women-of-distinction.aspx
Talk Soon ~
Nancy
