Karen Kistler

karen.kistler@salisburypost.com

 

Offering a safe space for open communication is what Jante Gibson-Bryant, founder and executive director of Awakenher Wellness, is providing as she hosts a monthly Coffee and Conversations.

The gathering, which is part of the Awakenher Wellness ministry, is held on the second Saturday of each month from 2-4 p.m. at her home, with the next one held Feb. 8.

There is a broad range in ages of the women who attend, with the youngest being 18 and the oldest 69. With this wide range, participants can learn from one another.

By attending and sharing, women can know that when they do so, they are speaking to others who are going through some of the same things and that those who are listening understand them.

Coffee and Conversations does meet at her home, but she said that because of its growth, she is reaching out to the City Park Recreation Center to see about moving to that location.

The numbers of attendees vary, but she did say that when everyone is there, plus the fact that new people come, it is outgrowing the space and they would probably have to move soon.

Those interested in attending the event can email her at jante@awakenherwellness.com, and she will respond with additional information.

Gibson-Bryant did say that because of the nature of some of the things they may talk about “because a lot of adult women may have had childhood trauma that they may not have confronted” and therefore would not want their children present.

So the youngest she would suggest to attend would be 16, she said.

Awakenher Wellness is geared toward women, Gibson-Bryant said, because they are the nurturers in the family and sometimes the disciplinarians as well; therefore, “the more whole we are, the better our families are. So, that’s what Coffee and Conversations is” as it provides that space for women to have that open dialogue.

Many think that suppression is the same as overcoming, she added, and are not “spilling on people because I’m keeping it inside,” one can become irritable because you don’t have that safe place to talk, so that’s what this gathering offers.

When asked why she would encourage people to visit the group, Gibson-Bryant said she believes that “we can’t heal or work together what we don’t talk about.”

She said that many times people replay those negative things that people say to them, and that becomes what they live by, and therefore are critical of themselves.

“I believe in affirming myself,” she said. “I tell myself that I’m brilliant because I waited a long time for other people to affirm me.”

This speaking well of oneself, speaking for oneself, speaking truth and being proud of oneself are what Awakenher Wellness and Coffee and Conversations reinforces, she said.

“If we are joint heirs with Christ, how can you speak ill of yourself,” Gibson-Bryant said, noting that “the Bible tells us that bitter and sweet water can’t come from the same fountain.”

Telling that she is in the process of healing, which is a lifelong journey, she said that she leans into who God has called her to be, bold, confident and bright, and “the more I lean into that, the more peace I have,” she said.

Asking when was the last time you praised yourself, Gibson-Bryant said, “we have normalized being critical of ourselves, but we haven’t normalized praising ourselves.”