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!
Uh what's this why am I so new
@Heather225 That's great idea iloved it
This is fantastic and very good for everyone
@Heather225
sounds awesome!! great idea, much love
Sounds intriguing!
How is everyone doing today?
@Heather225 sounds great!
Quick question- why do these discussions talk about higher powers?
I was going to join but then I saw that and the prayer and decided I wouldn't join since I'm atheist.
@goldenDog9992
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.
"Prayer" is not used in this mantra.
@goldenDog9992 The mantra at the beginning can seem similar to what prayer is. However it does not mention God or a higher power at all. It says "love" which is what we are all providing one another by helping each other through trying times. I am agnostic but I still attend the sharing circles on a fairly regular basis. I assure you that there is nothing preachy about them, only people there to support one another. I do hope you will give it another try and just think of the mantra as a way to get our attention that it's starting and to put you in the headspace to be open to listen and help others within our 7 cups community.
@Heather225
That's really amazing! , love this !! 
I'm getting a lot out of these circles. They give me a concrete anchor of sorts for me to be here and active and interested at a set time each and every day. More importantly, they make good use out of the Support Room in a capacity that gives multiple people 5 minutes each to vent or speak freely about what might be bothering them.
This is one of those changes that I think will be tweaked or maybe even vastly revised with time as no plan survives contact with the enemy (enemy in this context not be seen as literally the enemy).
I would suggest maybe adding SMART recovery to the list of sources of inspiration as it does not draw from or make any references to higher powers and is a strictly secular organization. I did my facilitator training with them some time ago and find them to be transparent and fairly controversy free organization.