Navigating Change
A reflection on change from Joanie...
I spent a quiet weekend thinking about change. How life, as Monica says, is all about chapters. And the old adage that when one door closes, another opens.
Last week I found myself closing doors and starting new chapters on some really important pieces of my life. Monica Smith, my co-pilot throughout this RevelEleven journey for the last six years, announced she was moving on from RevelEleven to pursue some new passions. And then my partner and I sold our R11 retreat center in Roslyn, Washington. Two really major changes in my life – and both on the same day.
Now the opportunity lies in how I embrace them.
Monica and I were quite the duo building R11. The big question moving forward is, what is the future of RevelEleven? We have always had an amazing team behind us, and I will rely on them a lot more. But I also want to invite you to join me in continuing the amazing momentum of a women’s community with your ideas, visions for trips and connections along the way. We'd love your input on what you think would make the most remarkable Adventure for Your Spirit!
We are taking the rest of August to refocus our energies on R11 to come back stronger in mid-September. You can count on more in-person events here in the PNW, several international trips for the coming year, along with our online events and some other exciting RevelEleven content!
It is all about how you say goodbye – and hello – to new chapters.
Last week as I was leaving our retreat center for the last time, I went through every room in the house and thanked it for all of the special moments and all the amazing retreats we had held there - filled with friendship and laughter, with yoga and hiking. I walked into the kitchen, family room, dining room, each bedroom and then out to the beautiful Ponderosa Pines on our property and thanked them. Thanked them for a wonderful last seven years with them. I turned around to walk the rest of the property and there, low and behold, was the most beautiful, vibrant rainbow I have ever seen.
Indeed, a gift from the universe. I took it as affirmation that a new beginning had just started. I took time to revel in the magic that was happening at that moment.
And somehow knew that everything would be okay… and perhaps the next chapter for me and R11 was right through that rainbow.
I don’t know completely what lies ahead for RevelEleven, but I will always know that I’m wrapped with love from the universe and that incredible moment in time where I knew that this new journey will be a good one.
Joanie Parsons
Co-Founder/Adventurist of RevelEleven