from The BGP Gathering Space

The Assurance of Life
Contributed by Shaunelle Curry

We go through so many changes in this life, learning so many things. Our paths may take us to the core of poverty and the pinnacle of wealth several times in one lifetime. We grow old and die of certain ways of doing things, then rebirth into a new dimension of perception and experience in a moment’s time. It is as though we wake up and the world is not as it had been. We wonder how long we had been moving through a dream. The knot in the stomach subsides for a time and we realize it had been but a bundle of energetic anguish, not a whale swimming far below the shore. What reality is this that we live where nothing really is forever the same? What life is this that we live?

“I Am Free” is my liberty song, releasing me from what bound me yesterday, whether darkness, soot or doubt. “I Am Free” is my cry to the wind, the undercurrent of melody below a child’s embrace. “I Am Free” becomes my declaration of independence, self-determination and self-sacrifice into this Life which arcs itself into my call, asking only for all of me, all of the time, in all ways imaginable and yet unimagined.

I am free! I am free! I am free!

Today, I feel, I experience, pure joy in my awareness of Truth. I am both subtly and profoundly aware of a once secret mist streaming through my consciousness. I am aware of the assurance of Life. I am aware that I am going to make it. I am aware today, this hour, this moment, that for sure my success—full throttle—is granted. Not only is there no room for doubt, there is NO NEED for it either.

Finally, finally, I picture myself as the business woman and feel a distinct sense of self in it. I feel myself as writer, as artist, as healer, as Light, as accomplished wombman in service to this Life, pursuing and living my life in the presence, as the very essence, of my function. This, I am knowing. This is such a reflection, this is such an awareness, powerful and subtle the same, that before where there was hope, now there is assurance. Before where the possibility lingered, now conviction abides. Before, where I wondered, wandering deep into daydreams of “maybe” and “might,” now I put into place the building blocks for my life’s foundation, its structure, and its core.

Today I decide to live this life I have dreamt of. I am aware of Angels dancing on my head, singing sweet mysteries of Life and its promises. Today I am aware that the dream I dream is already fulfilled.

Today, the curtain rises.

I know I will do what it takes. I will have the resources and support needed and requested. I will overcome the opposition. I will rise from the ashes of defeat; I will declare VICTORY as the essence of my Life’s call. This I know with wisdom unheard before this moment, now singing its masterpiece in me. I am knowing this, loving this, tasting this, not as dream but as being. It is as I Am and It Is so.

This awareness comes not because somebody told me so or hushed my fears or promised me something I once hungered for. The certainty is brimming forth within my own soul, in spite of conceptions titled “success” or “failure.” It stands as I stand. It bows even as I bow.

Ha! Ha! What JOY to know and experience the true ASSURANCE of Life, where it is Given even as it is Spoken. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You!

Today, I choose—today, I LIVE my LIFE.

from The BGP Gathering Space

The BGP Inner Peace Party contributed by Shaunelle Curry

On behalf of The Women of The Butterfly Garden Project, I would like to personally thank all of the phenomenal Butterflies who participated in last Sunday’s BGP Inner Peace Party! You move forward our mission to “Illuminate Women into our Inherent Divinity and Power as Co-Creators of a Dynamic, Harmonious, Love-Enriched Universe!” Thank you for digging deep and being so candid with your thoughts and emotions. You helped to make this such a rich and vibrant experience. I honor you with a “Standing O!”

About The BGP Inner Peace Party
The BGP Inner Peace Party is likened to a sampler platter of The BGP’s finest offerings. We focus on the mental/emotional, physical and spiritual elevation of our guests. Through our popular “Standing O!” exercise, we celebrate our womanhood, with its flaws and victories alike. We facilitate additional exercises for identifying and uprooting the decay in our lives and replacing it with valuable and life affirming Truths designed to sustain us. We also practice basic breathing and meditation exercises designed to return us to our center of peace. We enrich our platter with self-massage practice using Zao Botanicals holistic spa samples. And we discuss and offer resources for holistic womb care, rounding off our platter with discussion on the significance of Shangilia Womanhood Beads to our initiation into various levels of our wombman journey.

For information on the benefits of hosting a BGP Inner Peace Party, email admin@thebgponline.com and type BGP Inner Peace Party in the subject heading. Thank you.

from The BGP Quiet Room
Spirit Speaks to Sisters with Reverent June Gatlin

I am First Creation.
My whole being is a proclamation for
life, liberty and owning my happiness.

Sister is subject to many emotional experiences and vulnerable to numerous influences which can cause conflicting actions, making her feel emotionally off balance and insecure. So much of what you encounter comes as a result of relationships with those whom you love. These humans seem to know which buttons to push. Sometimes you feel they simply want to mess up your day. Why? Simply because they are breathing. What inconsiderate people! Selfish, aren't they?

Beloved, affirming love is truly your answer. You are allowed to Help Yourself, making love a personal contribution to yourself. Divine Spirit speaks about being considerate of you, commanding you to let your love be conspicuous. Loving works is about love. Love does not cast stones, misjudge or blame. Do you know what love is, Sister?

Now is your time to Help Yourself by declaring your Loving Works:
My Love is empowering, understanding and patient.
Love is compassion.
Love is assurance. Love looks over, passing beyond faults,
frailties and seeming failures.
Love is uplifting. Love is praising.
Love is celebrating my life.
Love is fulfilling. Love is generosity.
Love looks over, is caring. Love is giving solace.
Love nurtures. Love is abundance.
Love keeps promises.
Love protects and sustains, endures and remains love.
No matter the circumstances, love rescues.
Love smiles. Love brings laughter,
tears and good times during sorrow.
My love reverberates and liberates.
My love is never stifling.
Love is warm, giving comfort.
Love is sustenance, thirst quenching.
Love is food.
Love is youth in elder times.
In times like these love is guidance.
My Sister love is apparent when no parent is available.
In darkness my love is light.
With peace my love abides.
When hours are long and time passes slowly, my loving works.
I help my life with love!
I bring my loving works to life!

Spirit is defining you, Beloved, commanding you to honor your life as an exemplary Wombman. Acknowledge yourself as an original interpretation of spiritual beauty. Believe this: Self knowledge is beautifying. It may seem a heavy responsibility for some of you who have become regulars at proclaiming personal imperfections, but every Sister must be ready to step out of self defacing thinking. You are more than a cosmetically enhanced female human. There's nothing like the real thing, Beloved. After all, when everything is taken off what remains is true Sister. God's First Creation.

Excerpt taken from Spirit Speaks to Sisters, the chapter "Loving Works" by Reverent June Juliet Gatlin

from The BGP Gathering Space
Queen Mother Rosa Parks, We Pay Homage

contributed by The Women of The Butterfly Garden Project

Today, memorials are taking place all over the land for our Ancestor Mama Rosa Lee McCauley Parks (1913-2005). As we honor her Life and Legacy and hear her name called among our Ancestors Harriett Tubman and Sojourner Truth, as we hear her praises tongued alongside the Black National Anthem, as we watch her Sons and Daughters raise her on Golden Speech Wings to the Most High, as we reflect on the grass roots movement of which she was an integral force, let us take pause in this moment to make reflection of where we are now and what we are creating this day.

As we determine to carry on where our Ancestors left off, let us realize the true question is NOT, “Do I have what it takes?”

The TRUE question is, “Will I use what I have to do what it takes?”

Use this forum’s comments section to pay homage to our Ancestor Mama Rosa Parks by clicking on the comments link below.

Thank You. The Women of The BGP Online.

from THE BGP GATHERING SPACE
Holistic Health Talk with Afua Bromley, L.Ac.

Staying Healthy in Winter

In the wake of recent outbreaks of bird flu, the SARS outbreak, and flu vaccine shortages, many people are now a bit more wary about cold and flu season. The media continues to relay stories of “critical shortages of flu vaccine” around the country. How real is this cause for concern? Many would be surprised that with a little bit of extra knowledge, a lot of common sense and a few herb recommendations, most people will either avoid getting sick or will be able to recover within a few days.

An Ounce of Prevention……
Contrary to what many have come to believe, the best way to prevent the flu (or a cold) is NOT to get the flu vaccine. In Chinese Medicine, many colds are due to what we call wind-cold or wind-heat invasion. Basically, this means that the external environment can weaken your body, allowing it to become susceptible to external toxins like viruses and bacterial infections.

The best prevention is to wash your hands with soap regularly throughout the day under running water for at least 10 seconds. Also wipe down door knobs and faucets in your home at least once a day, along with shared phones and computer keyboards. Drink lots of water, eat balanced meals, get plenty of regular sleep and exercise and take a whole food multivitamin daily. Increasing the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables is always a good idea for natural immune enhancement. Wear a hat and scarf when going outside on a windy or rainy day.

Colds or Flu: What’s the Difference
It is important to understand that both the cold and flu are caused by viruses. There are over 200 different types of viruses that cause colds. The most common type is called the rhinovirus. The flu is caused by influenza viruses. Generally speaking, the flu is much worse than a cold. Transmission, though, is the same.

Concentration of both viruses is highest in the nasal passages. Many of the symptoms are the same: runny or stuffy nose, fever (usually higher with the flu), cough, sore throat. Body aches, diarrhea and vomiting tend to be more prevalent with the flu.

Treatment
The script for treatment is similar to the script of prevention: drink water, get rest, engage in moderate exercise, wash hands and try not to infect others (cover your mouth with a tissue when you sneeze).

There are several different herbal formulas that can help your body fight or recover from illness. A preventative herbal formula, Yu Ping Feng San, can help your body fight off colds or the flu and is mild enough for children and the elderly. Yin Chiao Pian and Gan Mao Ling Wan are two common Chinese herbal formulas for colds. Bi Yan Pian can help with stuffy or runny noses.

Using a vaporizer or doing a steam inhalation using White Flower Oil or Vick’s VapoRub can quickly open up nasal and/or bronchial passages. Pears are great for immediately soothing the pain of a sore throat. Slippery elm lozenges are also good for sore throats. Loquat syrup can help clear up lingering coughs. Echinacea and/or goldenseal can also help, but should not be used for more than 2 weeks at a time (do not use if you have kidney or liver damage.)

Children over two years of age can use most of these herbal products, but at 1/6 – ¼ of an adult dosage. Just remember, when in doubt, don’t hesitate to call a health professional.

To find a licensed practitioner, go to www.nccaom.org

from THE VERANDA
where spoken word artists, word warriors, and poets speak Light and Elevation into our communities, nations and Universe.

"Love Manifest"
Contributed by Shaunelle Curry

I Am Love manifest
in the purest
Light
Joy
walks within
me
speaking

secrets of hidden laughter

Light is my name

I come from a place
not far
from
here

holding dandelions
of rich blessings
and fruit love
of
green
rap
ture

I Am alone
in the world
and
unafraid

I stop at nothing
to explore
I

Am Joy
in Its Highest
no
pretense
of fear
or
lack

I speak
rhythms
of June
and
money
flows
to me
through me
manifesting
the abundance
of me as
external
supply

I Am hope
revisited
before
the last time
when
fear
stepped in
and took
its place

I Am Love
manifest
I Am
Love.

Copyright 2005 by Shaunelle C. Curry

To inquire about contributing your words of elevation to The Veranda, email admin@thebgponline.com and type VERANDA in the subject line.

from The BGP Gathering Space
Life Coaching: The New Way to Ignite Your Full Potential
Contributed by Caroline Shola Arewa

‘The Creator has given you great potential. What are you doing with yours?’ 1

This is a question I have continually asked myself and my clients over the years.

Firewood contains the potential for heat and light, but without help it will not reach its potential. You can build the fire, visualize light, feel the warmth even hear the crackling sound of the fire, but unless you actually ignite the firewood it will not become its full potential. Sound familiar? Yes! Coaching is the spark that ignites your full potential. It is a catalyst that transforms people and lives. Coaching can change dreams into reality, it is the path that takes you from where you are now to where you want to be.

We live in a world of rapid change, with technology creating our future. Nothing is how it was, even twenty years ago. This means there is major pressure on all of us to change,everything is speeded up; we have to learn fast or risk being left behind. It also means we have more choices than ever before. We can choose where we want to be, we can choose how we want to live, work and play. A young student can be the CEO of a multimillion dollar dot.com business. Digital technology means books are written and read without a single word ever being printed on paper. You can have sex in cyberspace, apparently!! So how do we manage so much choice in our lives in this fast changing world? How do we ignite our full potential?

Life coaching is a powerful new means of getting the most out of life. A rapidly growing world requires new solutions. Life Coaching has grown out of personal development and grown up in the digital era. It is a relationship between two people, a coach and client,that takes place mostly online, email or telephone line. It offers a holistic approach to fulfilment and success in all areas of life. The three Authors of Co-active Coaching simply describe coaching as "A powerful relationship for people making important changes in their lives."2

I have seen my private practise of Spiritual and Personal development organically evolve towards Life coaching. People’s priorities are changing. Coaching has come out of the boardroom and into the homes of all those seeking success, high-level performance,abundance and strategies for living life to the full. Now many people from all walks of life can have a slice of the success cake.

Coaching recognises that success is different for each person and addresses not only business, careers and work but the balance of work, family and friends, home,finance,spirituality and health, without health how we can we fully enjoy life.

A well-trained coach uses their expertise to get the fire burning. They take the client from where they are, to where they want to be, rapidly. The coach’s enthusiasm lights the flame that ignites the clients full potential. Coaching is a partnership for success. Coaches want clients to reach their fullest potential because when the client achieves the Coach achieves. Life Coaching at its best is, win win all the way to radiant full potential.

1 ‘Opening to Spirit’ Caroline Shola Arewa Harper Collins
2 ‘Co-active Coaching’ Laura Whitworth, Henry Kimsey-House and Phil Sandahl p. XV11.

Caroline ‘Shola’ Arewa
Shola specialises in Health and Success. She has an extensive background in Humanistic Psychology, Yoga, Holistic Healthcare and Training and is known for her gentle yet powerful style developed over twenty years of helping people make important life changes. Author of ‘Opening to Spirit’ Master of Yoga, Coach and sought after Motivational Speaker; Shola has presented on every continent and appeared on radio and TV worldwide. Shola’s latest book is ‘Embracing Purpose, Passion and Peace’.

SHOLA AREWAHealth and Success Coach
Speaker, Trainer, Author.

Make the REST of your life the BEST of your life. for info, bookings and appointments:
Email; admin@creatingease.com
http://www.successwithoutstress.net/
http://www.creatingease.com/

Visit our website http://www.creatingease.com/ and sign up for your free 7-day e-course on Creating EASE in your work and personal life.
Working with you to achieve Success without Stress.

To receive regular updates on the happenings in The BGP Gathering Space, email admin@thebgponline.com and type "mailing list" in the subject line.

Peace & Blessings!
The Women of The Butterfly Garden Project

from The BGP Gathering Space
Victim or Victor, You Choose
contributed by Shaunelle Curry

What is the difference between VICTIM and VICTOR?

Over the summer, I began to prepare curriculum for the awesome work of connecting with women in domestic violence shelters. One of the questions I asked myself in this preparation was, “What is the difference between victim and victor?”

I had my own ideas, but I perused Webster as well. It defined a victim as “one that is injured, destroyed, or sacrificed under any of various conditions; one that is subjected to oppression, hardship or mistreatment.” Victor, however, is “one that defeats an enemy or opponent: winner.” Even still, victory is “achievement of mastery or success in a struggle or endeavor against odds or difficulties.”

Both victim and victor imply some battle, some struggle that has taken place. But, while a victim’s story ends with the oppression, hardship and the subsequent wounds, the victor continues on toward mastery through overcoming the odds of what would appear to be her reasonable chances of success.

What is the difference between victim and victor? Two letters found at the end of each word. The difference is what happens in the end. Everything leading up to the ‘i’ and the ‘m,’ and the ‘o’ and the ‘r’ are the same. The beginning may appear to be out of our hands at the moment, but we choose our ending.

Going back to my classroom teaching days, we can use an acronym as an example:
VICTIM
Vile
Injustice
Causing
Trauma and an
Injured
Mindset

VICTOR
Vile
Injustice
Causing
Trauma and an
Opportunity to
Rise

Vile Injustice Causing Trauma can serve as our experience, the backdrop of our choice to stay a victim or to rise to a victor. And yes, I do say our choice. The way in which our story ends has little to do with how it begins. It has more to do with whether we settle for an Injured Mindset, or we take our Opportunity to Rise. We choose this all day everyday in both large and small ways.

I was telling a friend what a rough week I had last week. It was filled with tension, struggle and strain. Most of that struggle and strain took place right inside my mind. As I teeter-tottered between remaining a victim to inconvenient circumstances and rising to my highest, I asked myself a question.

“How do I want this story to end? What do I choose?” My answer: I want to rise. Now, I laugh here because it wasn’t some Hollywood superstar ending. There was no theme music, no cheers, and no thunderous applause. And to be perfectly honest, it is a process. I have gained much ground and have claimed ultimate victory as mine.

A definite battle did ensue…right inside of me. When I stayed in my injured mindset, I blamed, I fumed, I cursed, I constricted, and I saw evil and ill will all around me. When I stood in my opportunity to rise, I forgave, I nurtured, I loved, I excelled, and I saw a multitude of blessings to be grateful for. One moment I was kicking myself for not doing what I should have done, the next moment I was forgiving myself and realigning with my ultimate vision.

This was a dance that took place within me as I struggled to rise, to get up and stay up. I was as the toddler, striving to find that point of balance, that center, to stand and to walk evenly. And as neurotic as the process may sound, I began to ascend, to feel joy, to feel lighter and to accomplish more successfully and compassionately for longer periods of time. I began to practice gratitude for the struggle itself and for the wombman it was chiseling out in me.

This is a personal example, but we have living examples all around us. As we have endured many natural disasters and subsequent human disaster due to apathy and systemized oppression, we have seen the battle between the injured mindset and the victor. Many of us have taken the opportunity to rise and to aid others in rising by giving in service, opening our homes, providing opportunities and employment, giving donations and helping to rebuild lives. In this way, humanity expands and ascends. In this way, we ensure our victory.

So if, as you go about your week, you find yourself in the midst of oppression, hardship, maltreatment, injury, destruction, or inconvenient circumstance, ask yourself one question.

“How do I intend, this day, to use this opportunity to rise?”


Shaunelle Curry is the founder of The Butterfly Garden Project and The BGP Online, a wombman’s wellness resource dedicated to elevating women to our inherent divinity and power as co-Creators of a dynamic, harmonious, love-enriched Universe.

Visit The BGP Online later this week for a wonderful article entitled, "Life Coaching: The new way to ignite your full potential," by Caroline Shola Arewa, international speaker and life coach. You will have an opportunity to sign up for her free 7-day e-course on Creating Ease.

To be added to the The BGP Online mailing list and receive regular updates on the happenings at The BGP Gathering Space, email admin@thebgponline.com and type "mailing list" in the subject heading.

Blessings!
The Women of The Butterfly Garden Project