The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer 

jgibson@tribunemedia.net 

WOMEN were inspired to leave the burden of past hurts behind them and find the strength to start afresh during a unique event presented by Eve’s Journey Life Coaching Institute. 

‘Breathe’ was a free event for women recently held at the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas. It was designed to help women jump-start 2017 with a new focus in mind: the importance of forgiveness, self-love, living in truth and taking care of oneself. 

The Eve’s Journey organisation said it created a forum for women to exhale, release and let go of everything and everyone who held them back last year. 

“It was a funeral service for the past and a celebration of what is to come,” said Stanya Davis, founder of the coaching institute and the host of “Tell it to Stanya!”.

“The focus of ‘Breathe’ was to encourage, inspire, and simply do as its name implied breathe. I wanted to achieve this by a creating sacred space for women to take off the mask and speak truthfully about who they are and where they have been on their journey. The night was one of storytelling, laughter, forgiveness and good old-fashioned female bonding.”

The event featured a slate of women with interesting stories to share. They included spoken word artist Tracy Stubbs, authors Nekisha Rolle and Kiethra Morley, and Pastor Latisha Rolle.

“Those in attendance also had the opportunity to share their stories and participate in healing activities that allowed them to not only connect with the other women, but also with themselves,” Ms Davis said.

“I organised this event primarily for women because something powerful happens when we come together and set an intention. The intention that night was to begin the healing process of taking care of the most important person in their lives – themselves,” she said. 

Ms Davis said she was inspired by a few events last year that opened her eyes to the need of taking better care of herself. In turn she wanted to share that same message with other women.   

“That was the message that I wanted to share. As women we are encouraged to be all things to everyone else, instead of putting ourselves first. As a matter of fact, we have become so brainwashed that when we do put ourselves first we begin to feel guilty and ashamed that we did. ‘Breathe’ served as a reminder that we deserve to love ourselves unconditionally, and that it is OK to simply be you,” said Ms Davis.

“Stories are powerful. We know that we are healed when we can share where we have been without shame and guilt. Healing takes place in the heart of those hearing our stories as well, because sometimes the only way for a person to see themselves is through the eyes of another.”