Why are you here?

Have you ever been on a retreat?

Honestly, I never imagined I would take this kind of journey back to myself. It had been on my bucket list since I was young, yet somehow I never made the time. Until last week… unexpectedly… in Spain, on the beautiful island of Mallorca.

I joined a retreat by Glansrijk Trainingen and Blauwprint.com. A week without noise. Pure time and space for me. What I thought would simply be days to paint and offer an

intuitive workshop turned into so much more.

I was able to breathe again, literally and figuratively, surrounded by unfamiliar and extraordinary women. I was given the space to feel honestly, to reflect without pressure, and to consciously choose what I truly want for my life.

And what I brought home was far beyond what I could have imagined.

I stepped into challenges: making conscious choices, seeing clearly what no longer belongs in my life, learning what I can let go of, and recognizing what was already inside me but deserved visibility. Hidden hurts surfaced gently, without judgment, and were met with healing space.

I laughed, cried, sang, swam, practiced yoga and breath-work, floated in silence, painted, wrote, ate nourishing vegetarian meals, was asked real questions (which doesn’t happen often), climbed a mountain to a monastery — and found peace there, trusting myself. At my own pace.
And in that, I formed a deep and precious bond with women who were strangers just days before. I carry them now in my heart… and yes, I miss them. I am allowed to shine like a diamond, to fly like an eagle, with a heart full of love — for myself and for others.

It all  began with the book The Why Café by John Strelecky, given to me by Wineke van Rijn, with the question:

“Why are you here?” I know my answer now, more deeply and more certainly: I am here to Be.
To continue growing into a woman who expresses, through art, a world that often plays too little, speaks too little, and judges what it does not yet understand. Through my diversity and my talents, I can give meaning.
That is my instrument. That is my role.

The recognition I received this week moved me deeply.
It affirmed what I already knew as a child — but now I feel it fully:

I am Ismène.
I am an artist.
I create with heart and soul.
 

And I mirror life, for myself and for everyone who sees themselves reflected in it.

My acronym = A.L.I.V.E.
Authentic Loving Inspiring Vibrant… Empowered.

Thank you Wineke van Rijn, Kim Merema & Babs van Strien for your guidance and your loving care for Body, Mind and Soul. I wish you many more beautiful retreats ahead. It truly was and is extraordinary 🤩

Ismène x

My Instagram story  Ismene Elbers 

I also made as a Birthday gift towards a lady dat gives Cacao rituals an Art Piece made from her own imported Cacao on the spot... 

her name is BABS she was  completely mesmerized. Look how she posted it on her Instagram account!

#PersonalDevelopment #InnerJourney #Awareness #Artist #ArtHealing
#IntuitiveArt #ArtWithSoul #FemaleLeadership #EmpoweredWomen #Mallorca
#RetreatMallorca #Inspiration #Purpose #AuthenticLeadership #Transformation
#TheWhyCafe