Last January, I created a vision board. Three of my intentions were: awe-inspiring experiences at the coast/mountains, emotional healing, and a retreat in Bali or Thailand. Just a week later, I was facilitating my Vision & Manifestation Workshop, sharing the news—I had just won a 5-day luxury retreat to the Cederberg with Reboot Retreat!
It was a dream – and manifestation – come true.
That retreat turned out to be one of the most transformational experiences of my life—deep emotional healing, powerful shifts, and breathtaking moments of awe, like sleeping under the stars and waking up on Wolfberg Cracks. Right then and there, I decided that I was ready for 5-star treatment in my life.
On that same vision board, I had also included: a retreat in Bali, a TED Talk, and creating a program—Awaken the Phoenix Within—to help women recreate their lives: body, mind, being, and business.
Fast forward to a few weeks ago—exactly one year later.
I was scrolling Instagram, completely unaware that my life was about to shift again. I noticed three messages from 9D Breathwork. The first was a shared story about a 4-day wellness retreat in Bali. The second was an automated message about a competition I’d entered. At that point, I barely paid attention—I assumed it was a bot-generated marketing message.
Then I opened the third message.
Confetti shot across the screen, and my name appeared. I froze.
What did this mean? I scrolled up, re-reading the previous messages. Had I… won? Surely not. I checked again. And again. My heart pounded.
Then it hit me.
I HAD WON.
Me. A 5-star, all-expenses-paid, 4-day wellness retreat in Bali worth $2999!
I burst into tears.
Before I told anyone, I triple-checked. Then I remembered my vision board. I bolted upstairs, my breath catching in my chest. And there it was—“Retreat in Bali” staring back at me.
The magic didn’t stop there.
Since it was my first time in Bali, I wanted to extend my trip beyond the retreat. I reached out to 9D Breathwork to check if my flight could accommodate a longer stay. “Of course!” they said. So, I started searching for accommodation.
Hours later, frustration crept in. I didn’t know Bali, I wasn’t sure where to stay, and I still needed to organize a live-in babysitter for my girls (aka my dogs—yes, they’re my kids! Haha).
I put my phone down, stretched out on my yoga mat, and took a deep breath. “Universe, please sort this out. I know this trip wasn’t meant to be stressful. Show me the way.”
The next morning, I woke up to a message from the organizers: “Don’t worry, but…” Like most of us, I immediately worried. But deep down, I also knew that whatever came next was going to be for my highest good.
The message continued, explaining that The Istana—the breathtaking cliffside resort where the retreat was hosted—had overbooked and didn’t have a room available for me. My heart sank. That resort was part of the dream.
Then the next message came: “We’ve arranged for you to stay at a 5-star hotel nearby, and we’ll provide transport to and from the retreat every day.”
Okay. Thank you, Universe! 5-star all the way! I was still a little disappointed, but I reminded myself to trust the process.
Then, another message: “To make up for the mix-up, The Istana would like to host you for the duration of your stay—completely free.”
I laughed out loud. The Universe had just upgraded my upgrade.
And what about the other things on my vision board?
The TED Talk? Not yet. But I entered the PSASA (Public Speakers Association of South Africa) Speaker Factor competition—and I’m in the FINALS next week! A year ago, I wasn’t ready for TEDx. I wasn’t even clear on my message. This journey has forced me to refine it, and now I know exactly what I want to say and the impact I want to make.
So, what’s the lesson here?
Manifestation is real. But it’s not about just wishing and waiting. It’s about clarity, alignment, and taking inspired action.
If you’re ready to get clear on YOUR dreams and start manifesting magic, join me next weekend for my Vision & Manifestation Workshop.
What you’ll get:
– Clarity on what you truly want (across all areas of life)
– A visual representation of your dreams (Vision Board!)
– Tools to stay focused and inspired
– A roadmap to take aligned action
– A mindset shift—so you can finally believe you’re worthy of receiving!
Details: 2 + 7 April (online) from 19:30 – 21:00
If you do nothing, nothing will change. But if you take ONE step, the Universe moves with you.
Reserve your spot at petra@petralaranjo.co.za Spaces are limited. Let’s make magic happen! 💛
Click here for the BALI Retreat details: 9D Breathwork + The Istana
Click here for Reboot Retreat details
