FACE OFF
How often have you reluctantly gone to a meeting and then found, to your surprise, that something inside of you actually changed as a result of what was presented? When that happens, you know you have been given the blessing of a maturing of your character. In many meetings, we are inspired intellectually or even emotionally, but few presentations actually catalyze our essence and give us tools to become better people.
Ms. Nandi Bengu's presentation
The Metro DC WFWP meeting included participants from the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. Held in Bowie, Maryland, on Saturday October 4, it was a rare experience where the participants were coaxed to bare their souls and find relief through a feeling of being understood without judgment or criticism. Ms. Nandi Bengu, originally from South Africa and currently the WFWP chairwoman in Harlem, New York, gave two presentations on the topic "Face Off: Strengthening the Power of the Mind through Self-Control—The First Step to True Leadership." I was pleasantly surprised by the insightfulness and thoughtfulness of the presentations—so much so that something in my heart changed as a result.
Ms. Bengu spoke of the structure and functioning of the spirit self and the physical self, which led her to delve deeply into the differences between the mature character and the immature character, and to put them face to face in front of us all. She said that it is not enough for us to expound the idea of "Living by the Logic of Love," but we must know how to do that, how to be real in our real-life relationships. She spoke in such a down-to-earth way that those of us who were listening couldn't help but eagerly anticipate her next insight. After each of the two presentations, we were given questions to discuss in smaller groups to help solidify what had been presented.
Lively discussion groups
The audience was a mixture of people from different cultures, races, genders and ages. It was by no means homogeneous, and yet Nandi herself and her message touched all of our hearts and made us really look at ourselves and see objectively what we want to change. The discussions centered on what is immature in me, sharing with the group to face it and begin a healing process. She then gave us some tools to begin the process of really making those changes. She challenged us to look at ourselves and to grapple with our problems using our conscience as our guide, strengthening it by coming to know what we want and not standing for anything else. We are the makers of our own destiny, not those around us, so we can't blame our choices on others. Each of us is responsible to live the life we live, and we have the choice to keep going as we are or to make fundamental changes in our lives to allow God, our Heavenly Parent, to more strongly live in our lives with us. I am the one who must invite our Cosmic Parent into what I am doing. I am the one who is excluding my Parent. I am responsible.
Ms. Laura Ortiz, Artistic Director
During the group discussion, the participants opened up in ways that are unusual when speaking with people you have just met. As we shared and felt the understanding and embrace of the group, new strength was born in each of us to begin our new journey to allow God, our Creator and Heavenly Parent, to show us who we were created to be and how to mature into that person.
After the presentations, discussion, and lunch, Mrs. Laura Ortiz, artistic director and Mexican dance instructor of the Quetzales Mexican Dance Ensemble of Northern Virginia, got us into the swing of Mexican dance. She gave us exercises to take home with us to help the blood and energy flow in our bodies so we can continue to live a healthy life of living for the sake of others.
Thank you, Ms. Bengu and President Selle, for your insights and for getting us together to experience the healing embrace of WFWP. Let's continue to spread this heart all over America!
Group Photo