Glenda Goodrich surrounded by her SoulCollage materials.

Glenda Goodrich finds wisdom, inspiration in the wilderness

by

When Glenda Goodrich turned 50, she found herself yearning for something deeper. Though she was a successful corporate executive, she felt unfulfilled. That year, she took a step which would change her life forever when she embarked on a wilderness vision quest.

“I wanted to do something meaningful and different, something adventurous and challenging,” said Glenda. “I had read about vision questing, and for some reason, it really stuck with me. When I saw a flyer for a women’s wilderness quest in Death Valley, I knew I had to go.”

What she thought would be a one-time experience turned into an annual ritual. Now 73, she has completed 18 quests and dedicated her life to helping others explore their own inner landscapes, whether in the wilderness or through art.

Seeking solitude and purpose

Vision questing is an ancient practice found in many indigenous cultures. It is designed to foster self-discovery and spiritual growth. It involves spending time alone in nature, fasting and seeking insight from the natural world.

“A quest has three parts,” Glenda explained. “First is severance, where you leave your day-to-day life behind. Then comes the four-day solo, when you’re out in the wilderness fasting, praying and asking for a vision.

“Finally, there’s incorporation, where you return to base camp and work with your guides to understand what nature has shown you,” she added.

During her first quest, Glenda was struck by the power of silence.

“It’s amazing what happens when you remove all distractions,” she said. “No books, no phone — just you, the earth and your thoughts. The natural world mirrors back to you who you are.”

One of her most profound moments came when she saw her own reflection in the landscape.

“I struggled with body image issues for years,” she recalled. “But one day, as I looked at the mountains, valleys and ridges, I realized the earth isn’t perfectly smooth, and yet it’s breathtaking.

“I saw my own body in that same way, with all its scars and imperfections,” she said. “It was a turning point.”

A guide through creativity

Though she never became a vision quest guide herself, Glenda found a different calling: leading people through artistic exploration as an “art doula.”

“I made up the term because it describes what I do,” she explained. “I help people birth their own creative experiences. It’s not about technique, rather it’s about what wants to come out through you. Art can be a mirror, just like nature.”

Glenda’s method, known as SoulCollage, involves cutting out images from magazines and assembling them into cards that reflect personal themes.

“The premise is that what you’re drawn to reveals something about what’s happening inside you,” she explained. “These cards can be dark, beautiful or provocative. We use them to ask, ‘What does my soul want me to know?’”

She has led more than 100 SoulCollage gatherings in her Oregon home studio, which she calls the Down to Earth Studio.

“I work one-on-one and in groups,” said Glenda. “Both are powerful. In a group, you’re witnessed by others, which can be incredibly affirming. Individually, you can go deeper into personal themes.”

For those who carry unresolved trauma, SoulCollage can be a gentle way to process their experiences.

“I don’t want to throw people back into trauma, but I do help them reframe their stories,” she explained. “We call it ‘old story, new story.’ What have you been telling yourself? And how can you see it differently?”

Writing a legacy

Glenda’s experiences in the wilderness eventually led her to write a book, “Solo Passage: 13 Quests, 13 Questions.”

“I started by journaling my experiences,” she said. “Then I realized I wanted to leave a legacy for my grandchildren. I wasn’t a writer, so I took classes for five years. Eventually, my book was published.”

Each chapter explores a different quest and the questions she carried with her going into the experience. They included questions such as, “Can I forgive myself and others?” and “What is my own spiritual authority?”

“I was raised Catholic, and one of my quests forced me to redefine my spiritual foundation,” she explained. “The book is about the healing power of nature, told through my own stories.”

Though the book provides insights into the vision questing process, Glenda encourages those interested to find a guide.

“For safety and depth of experience, it’s important,” she said. “A guide helps you see what you might miss.”

Embracing life at 73

Now in her 70s, Glenda’s life is fuller than ever.

“I thought I’d be winding down,” she said. “But I’ve never been busier – or more fulfilled. I’m doing what I love, and I feel like I’m making the world a better place in my own way.”

She encourages others who are over 50 to step away from their daily routines and ask themselves what truly matters.

“It doesn’t have to be a vision quest,” Glenda said. “It could be a silent retreat, or just time away in nature.

“But midlife is an invitation to get honest about who you are,” she added. “Carl Jung said, ‘Everyone has an appointment with their authentic self at midlife, but not everyone chooses to keep that appointment.’”

As for her future, Glenda has no plans to slow down.

“I just do the next right thing that my heart leads me to,” she said. “That’s how I got here, and that’s how I’ll keep going.”

For more information

People interested in learning more about spiritual quests, Glenda’s art, workshops or book can connect with her at:

Glenda’s book, “Solo Passage: 13 Quests, 13 Questions,” is available on Amazon and in other bookstores.

If you order Glenda’s book from a link above, Forward From 50 may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Post Views: 4