Jessica was a retreat guest on the Goddess in the Pines, Rogue River Retreat last June. Each participant is guided, in a pre-trip phone call or meet-up, to consider what her “Greatest Goddess Desire” might be and what comfort zone may be holding her back from living into the desire.

When we first spoke with Jessica she was puzzled by the question, “What is my greatest desire?” She was challenged to connect to even having a desire for herself. This is not uncommon for women. We’re often pre-conditioned throughout our lives to meet the desires of others — to serve, inspire and nurture others greatest needs, aspirations and goals. It’s a worthy pursuit to be in service to others, until serving others overshadows our ability to recall what it is that WE desire.

In Jessica’s case, she had spent the last 20 years working as a Psychotherapist, Licensed Professional Counselor and Biofeedback Practitioner. Jessica realized she’d been living with the unconscious credo, “There are people who need my energy more than I do.” Just before the retreat, Jessica reconnected to a childhood dream of becoming a helicopter pilot. “I have always loved flying, and the desire to become a pilot would surface now and again in my life, but I believed I had moved too far away from the possibility professionally.” When Jessica began to connect to her latent desire to become a helicopter pilot she scheduled a flight with a pilot who encouraged her to pursue her license. Jessica began to connect to the idea, “What I want to do with my life is just as valid as what anyone else wants to do with theirs.”

Throughout the Rogue River Retreat, Jessica was guided to make space for her desire and on the eve of a full moon, sitting in a circle of camp chairs, listening to the steady flow of the Rogue River, Jessica was guided to build momentum for her dream through a journal exercise. Today, Jessica has the journal activity pasted on a vision board. It reminds her to remain connected to the highest vision for her life with statements such as, “I’m taking steps to realize my childhood dream!” and “I’m creating space to have my own desires.”

Today, seven months after the retreat, Jessica has received a certificate of medical clearance, the first step toward becoming a licensed pilot. She’s now applying to flight school. Jessica, pursues all of this while working as a counselor in a thriving practice, but she is tuned-in and turned-on to her greatest desire. Jessica also knows she has the support of a group of women from the retreat who want her to succeed. Inspiration from the Diva Tribe is always one text away!

Multi-day river trips present a rare opportunity to sink into a sensory-rich world, free of distraction and obligation. When the possibility to set your desires free is alive and supported, there is no end to the magic! What is your Greatest, Heartfelt Desire?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]