7 Cups Sharing Circles are now LIVE!
Last week, I introduced our new initiative to improve support within group rooms and bridge activities across the site. Yesterday, we began trialing the Sharing Circles meetups. Heres what its about:
What? These circles are an opportunity for us to share and support one another in a turn-based environment. Everyone who wants to participate can enter a queue to be called on when its their turn.
Where? Sharing Circle Room
Where did this idea come from?
We conduct sharing circles in the tradition of other support groups like Alcohol Anonymous and Overeaters Anonymous. These groups have helped millions of people and we believe they can help people in our community as well. These groups refer to a Higher Power. We use the word Love as love is a neutral term.
The host will recite this mantra to get everyone situated in this safe space and aligned in our intentions to support each other and ourselves:
-
Please imagine taking the hand of the person above or below you. At the end, if comfortable, please say Let it Be.
Love, give me grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
Courage to change the things
which should be changed,
and the Wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other.
Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
Taking, as many spiritual leaders did,
This difficult world as it is,
Not as I would have it,
Trusting that love will make all things right,
If I surrender to love,
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with love in the future.
Let it be.
-
What happens next?
The Rules!
Please send * to enter the sharing queue once the queue is open. Please do not enter * during a share. The queue to share will be opened after each share by the host while time permits. Queue is first come first serve. The host of the circle will say the queue after each share so you know when your turn will be.
Please do not ask questions to the sharer and keep supportive phrases short. You may use phrases like ‘That sounds hard, offers hugs, sending beams.
Only members can share. Listeners may support members, but if you want to participate, you must be logged in as a member. Please wait to be called upon to begin your share.
Please do not interrupt other shares to share your own story. Please wait your turn, so everyone can receive support.
Please break your share into short sentences so that we know you are sharing/present. Avoid typing paragraphs.
Please limit your share to under 5 minutes when there are less than 10 people in the queue and under 3 minutes when there are more than 10 people in the queue.
Type ‘Over or ‘Done as a separate message to show that you are done sharing.
Sharing Circles last one hour. We close the queue ten minutes before the end. If we are not able to get to you, you welcomed and encouraged to hop into the next one we have. These will happen twice a day for now, and if it becomes popular, we will host more.
Drop any questions in the replies, and we look forward to seeing you!
I popped into the middle of a sharing circle a few days aga and it seemed to run wonderfully! Everone seemed very pleased and supported.
In the past i avoided the chat rooms because when i entered support rooms, there were times when people were having separate conversations, and it was hard to tell who was talking to whom, and how many different conversations were happening. There were also times one person who was very emotional or venting would be the only person sharing and everyone else just listening and replying (1-3) and the rest of the people quiet (other 10+ people).. Other times someone would be trying to be serious and have a serious issue, but other members would be goofing around and making jokes and distracting the conversation.
I thought the boundaries and adherence to the guidelines made it feel more productive, more equitable, and safe! It was just pure sharing without advice giving with boundaries and seemed to work great! Great job! 🙏🏼😊
Hey- im new here
@EricDuhhh
Hi Eric!!! Just wanted to say hello and welcome :) Glad you are here! :) ! 
I am new to this. I joined because I am depressed, constantly worried and have major anxiety. I read that this was free. I worry that there is fine print somewhere that will cost? Can someone answer me on this. Thank you.
ZB
@affectionateAcres1423 There are a few things that have costs associated but it's clear if you try to use those.
There are professional therapists, these are different than the listeners. Therapy is $150 USD/month.
There is a subscription, that opens up specific growth paths.
On occasion there are workshops offered by a therapist, there haven't been any of these for a while.
There is merchandise you can buy.
None of these are required to use the site and are all upfront about the fact they are not free. Many people have used the site for a long time without paying for anything.
Hi
How are you?
Hello!
I have learned alot
here and fairly good conversations !
*
@Heather225
*
Where do I get entry into the adult circle
@Heather225 What does this statement mean: "Please send * to enter the sharing queue". What does it mean to send something, what does "*" mean, and where do you send it?
I've been wanting to get involved in the sharing circles for weeks, but can't figure out how.
@WharfRat When the room opens, a person leading the circle will explain some things and will then open the queue by writing something similar to "The queue is now open".
Any of the members who are interested in sharing for that session can then type * and post that in the room. This makes it clear who is actually interested in sharing that day, versus some people who will come in and say something like hi but don't actually want a time in the circle.
@WharfRat In order to type *, you press Shift and then press 8 while holding the Shift button down :)