Introducing... 7 Cups Sharing Circles!
The CM team has been giving a lot of thought to new ways we can support the community through consistent activities that you can rely on seeing every day. We wanted to try something completely fresh, and Im excited to share what were about to trial!
We are launching a series of open chats called Sharing Circles. These will happen twice a day to accommodate two different time zones.
The most important characteristic of a Sharing Circle is the intention behind it, which is to create an inclusive space where individuals listen to each other, with their hearts rather than their heads. These chats are dedicated to the giving and receiving of support in a turn-based setting where each participant has the chance to share and be heard.
How will it differ from discussions? These circle meetings have a unique structure that is unlike our discussions and open chats. We took inspiration from the brilliant system groups like AA and OA have perfected and used the core elements to create our own reimagining of the circles as it applies to 7 Cups!
Another unique aspect of this chat style is it will mimic the environment of group listening. Instead of talking all at once, randomly, or waiting for the host to finish asking questions, the host will ask each person joining to enter a queue (ex. typing a <3), and everyone will get a turn to speak and share their feelings. This will go on until the queue is empty. Once the person speaking is done, everyone else can offer words of encouragement and praise. (Youll understand how it flows when you attend!).
Who can participate?
Only members can enter the queue. Listeners are welcome to show support, take part in the rituals and reach out to the members later to check on them (highly encouraged!).
How can I get involved?
We will be looking for help with these as they will run twice daily, and on both adult and teen sides, which means 4 opportunities to care for each other each day! And the cool part about this is: if you are a mod, you can lead!!! This event is one we want to be accessible to everyone because this event belongs to everyone. Please contact @ASilentObserver @Hope or myself if you want to be a leader!
Please keep in mind that this a a totally new wild idea, so it's likely that we will be evolving this as we go and learn from all of you!
Look forward to the announcement of our first 7 Cups Sharing Circle in your alerts this week!
Oh cool!
@Heather225
Awesome
This sounds way less stressful and chaotic than our usual group chat structure, I hope it goes well! Definitely more like a real life group support
@Heather225 This sounds amazing! I would love to get involved in helping out with this. Great innitiative <3
@Heather225 Thank you for the information 
I think I really like this idea. I am not great at the normal discussions as I am always waiting to enter a conversation just like in real life. I am just too self consious. It would maybe help to take turns.
@Heather225 Great stuff
@Heather225 i dont think i understand really sorry
@TortueDesBois
its like circle time when you were a kid. Everyone shares in turns. At least thats how i understand it.
@EvelyneRose
like we do in beaver scouts or cubs scouts, or like did the ameridians with the talking stick?
or like we did take turns in thinking space room years ago?
@TortueDesBois
please see frozenghost's comment below :) thats what I meanf
I like this!
@Heather225 How long will they last and how long will each person get to speak?
@littlePapaya2167 depends on the listener
@ChocoPotato I'm not sure because there might be set times like there are with discussions and I know mods can't be on forever
@littlePapaya2167
each person gets up to 5 mins. that might change depending on the volume of people, but we feel 5 mins is a good starting point.
@Heather225 Okay I think 5 minutes is good because I know with the rooms sometimes when talking to people it takes a long time for them to get everything they want in and others not as much which is okay for the rooms when there isn't a discussion but not as much for when you want everyone to get a chance to be heard. I really like this idea a lot and I really hope it goes well.