The openness to share of one another, the meeting at 6:00 AM with the beautiful hot sun beaming down on us in the clear blue Caribbean Sea for prayer every morning was just awesome.
~ Jamaica Jane, Oregon
Sistahs who vacate together, stay strong together. That's the credo of Karaine Holness, founder of Sistahs Jammin' in Jamaica, an annual week-long spiritual retreat to Montego Bay's Coyaba Resort for women of all ages and ethnicities to bond with one another by sharing testimonials about their personal struggles.
"It's an opportunity for women to empower themselves by exchanging everything from words of encouragement to tears of rage," explains the New Haven, Conn- hair salon owner. "It's a beautiful experience to connect with other women in such an intimate setting."
Holness, who travels to her native Jamaica every year, believes that a retreat is the perfect opportunity for women to let go of their troubles. "Our focus is self-preservation, and this gathering offers support to many women who might not otherwise seek it," she explains. "We enjoy three days of fun and four days of sessions on self-improvement."
In addition to touring historical sites such as Dunns River or the Appleton Rum Estate, the women are awakened at dawn each morning sharing thanks and praise as the sun rises.
"Every day is a new day." says Holness, "And if only for a week, we're there to remind one another that we've got plenty to look forward to." For more information, visit www.sistahsjammin.com
MOVE TOWARD YOUR MISSION “When people come into my office saying, ‘I don’t know what I’m doing, I feel lost,’ it’s a sign that they need to grow enough to fit their purpose,” says psychologist Brenda Wade, Ph.D. If you start to work on your own inner development, she says, you’ll begin to see your true purpose unfold. These resources can help that process along:
The Sistahs Jammin’ Annual Spiritual Retreat: Author, speaker and success coach Debrena Jackson Gandy cohosts a week of self-empowerment seminars and motivational sessions at the Coyaba Beach Resort and Club in Jamaica, July 6–13. E-mail sistahs jammin@comcast.net for more information. Gandy also offers the Sacred Pampering Seminar and an All the Joy You Can Stand Workshop. In each she speaks about living fulfilled lives, finding balance, and discovering our personal purpose. Check out debrenasworld.com or call (206) 878-8163.
** This is an excert of the printed article which appeared in Essence Magazine in April of 2005. The article is copyright Essence Magazine (4/2005).
The openness to share of one another, the meeting at 6:00 AM with the beautiful hot sun beaming down on us in the clear blue Caribbean Sea for prayer every morning was just awesome.