What is your desire? That question guided our Amani weekend at Sint Lioba Monastery, a space where we could finally breathe, connect, and listen to our inner voices.
We all carry dreams and desires, but we also carry the whispers that try to stop us: “No, you can’t”, “you don’t deserve happiness” or “don’t even try.” These voices are not ours. They are fear. And fear grows when we stay silent.
Sometimes we need a little push to share our dreams and desires. At the Amani weekend, we chose connection, building trust, sharing our stories, and discovering how much strength we carry. Even after so many challenges, none of us has given up.
Our mental health matters. To share dreams, we must feel safe, grounded, and alive.
We asked ourselves: What makes me feel alive? What do I desire beyond what society, family, or partners expect from me? The answer was simple: becoming the best version of ourselves.
One exercise taught me this deeply. We assumed the formation of a group of geese, taking turns leading and supporting. It reminded us that power is not meant to be held alone. While in real life some people want to keep power for themselves, we learnt that true strength is shared and we need to help each other.
Another exercise asked us to walk in nature and find something that spoke to us. I found a stone between the grass and flowers. I picked it up and noticed it was solid, strong, and unshaken by rain, snow, or burning sun. It reminded me of my own journey: war, hardship, migration, survival… yet still colorful, warm, sharp, proud, and standing strong. My group saw the same in my drawing of this stone. We were connected, even with different backgrounds.
I am grateful for the Amani women. I felt safe enough to share my story. About healthy living, growing positively, and reclaiming joy. Walking on the beach, dancing at sunrise… these were dreams from my dreamtree, and I finally lived them.
Now it’s time to pick my next leaf of my dreamtree: Vietnam. A place my husband worked six months after our wedding, twenty‑three years ago. It took time, but I will finally see Saigon.
We all have inner power. We just need the courage and community to use it.
Peace,
Eliane
(pictures courtesy of Anna Moro)
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