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Evolution of Values: Embracing Change
by SoulfullyAButterfly
Last post
 October 28th
...See more Values are fundamental beliefs and principles that guide our attitudes, behaviors, and decision-making. They play a crucial role in shaping our identities and influencing the way we interact with the world. It's fascinating how these values can transform throughout our lives due to a variety of factors. Life experiences often serve as catalysts for changes in our values. These experiences can be both positive and negative. For instance, personal achievements, such as landing a dream job or achieving a long-term goal, can lead to a greater emphasis on values like ambition or perseverance. On the other hand, facing adversity, loss, or hardship can prompt a reevaluation of values, placing greater importance on qualities like resilience, empathy, or compassion. Cultural exposure and diversity also contribute to the evolution of our values. Interacting with people from different backgrounds and belief systems can broaden our perspectives and lead to a deeper appreciation for values like tolerance, inclusivity, and cultural sensitivity. Moreover, as we progress through various life stages, such as adolescence, adulthood, or parenthood, our priorities and values often shift to align with our evolving responsibilities and personal growth. Think of a value that you have now that you did not used to have, or one that has become more important to you. What life experiences led to this value changing? How does this change affect you now? Please share your thoughts and experiences on how your values have evolved. Reflecting on the evolution of our values can help us embrace change while cultivating the Being (Relationship to Self) Dimension of the Inner Developmental Goals.
Cognitive Skills Activity: Future Mental Health Scenario Analysis
by SoulfullyAButterfly
Last post
 September 2nd
...See more Ready to develop critical thinking, complexity awareness, perspective skills, and long-term orientation? We have an interesting activity for you! Scenario: Imagine a future where the prevalence of mental health challenges continues to rise due to various societal factors, such as increased stress, social isolation, and economic uncertainty. Instructions: 1. Research the Scenario: Gather information from credible sources on the factors contributing to the projected increase in mental health challenges. Explore different viewpoints and expert opinions on this issue. 2. Identify Key Factors: Identify the key factors and driving forces that contribute to the complexity of the scenario. Consider both short-term and long-term factors, such as the impact of technology, healthcare policies, and social support systems. 3. Create A Scenario: Develop 1 more future scenario that envisions how mental health challenges might evolve over the next 5 years. The scenario should cover a range of possibilities, from optimistic to pessimistic. 4. Analyze and Evaluate: Apply critical thinking skills to analyze and evaluate each scenario. Assess the credibility of the evidence and assumptions underlying each scenario. 5. Complexity Mapping: Create a visual representation (e.g., a mind map or diagram) that illustrates the interconnectedness of factors and causes within each scenario. Highlight potential cause-and-effect relationships. 6. Perspective Consideration: During your analysis, actively seek and incorporate insights from diverse and contrasting viewpoints. Consider how different stakeholders, including individuals, healthcare providers, and policymakers, might perceive and respond to each scenario. 7. Long-Term Vision: For each scenario, explore the long-term implications and potential outcomes for mental health and society as a whole. Formulate a vision or commitment that aligns with the broader context and takes into account the extended future. 8. Compare and Reflect: Compare and contrast the different scenarios, considering their complexity, credibility, and long-term implications. Reflect on what you've learned about the future of mental health and your ability to think critically and anticipate future developments. Share your brainstorming, analysis, or reflections in the comments to this post!
IDG
by TheGirlWhoFeltTooMuch
Last post
 14 hours ago
...See more The Inner Development Goals framework is like a blueprint that educates and inspires individuals to look inward to pinpoint our specific opportunities for inner growth which help us to enhance our abilities for, not just personal growth, but also societal growth. They assist us in our ability to collaborate with others positively and effectively as we work our way through the framework in hopes of achieving the sustainable development goals. Essentially, this is a blueprint that helps us use inner growth for outer change.  The entire framework is fantastic, and as I went through the growth path here on 7 cups, it inspired me to take IDG classes outside of the community here. Throughout my deep dive into the world of IDG, I found myself saying in my head, over and over again, “I really wish this would have been available to me back when I was teaching health education in the public school system!” I know I would have fought hard to get this added to the curriculum because this framework contains information that everyone should learn. The IDG covers 23 skills that include skills such as inner compass, openness, learning mindset, self-awareness, presence, connecteness, empathy, kindness, humility, co-creation, trust, and perseverance.  These skills are divided into 5 different categories: Being, Thinking, Relating, collaborating, and acting. However, don’t let the separation of the categories fool you-they are all interrelated and intricatly weave together to create a marvelous, life-changing, and empowering tapestry of growth and development.  One of my favorite areas of inner growth found in the framework is one that helps us to approach transitions with a focus on our learning and development opportunities, rather than just looking at the challenges and obstacles. It is a skill that helps us adapt to change and navigate challenges and opportunities that occur during life’s transitions with success and positivity, and it is essential to our growth. In the IDG framework, this skill is referred to as “Openness and Growth Mindset”, and is found in the first category called “being”, which relates to the “relationship to self”.  When you think about it, inner growth can only occur when individuals are open and able to be vulnerable, able to accept advice from others, and willing to view things from other perspectives. The best way to evaluate openness and a growth mindset is through evaluation, and this can be done by self-evaluation or even through others’ constructive feedback. Through evaluation, one can then create, or add to, their inner development plan.  So what is openness and a growth mindset? To me, “openness and a growth mindset” encompasses many things, such as a desire to learn, being more open to change, to show vulnerability without anxiety, reflecting on and learning from the pains in our past, embracing feedback from others by focussing on growth opportunities, being accessible, and being receptive of and willing to explore new ideas, experiences, and perspectives, belief that your abilities can grow through dedication and hard work, and belief that success depends on time and effort.  The course defines it as “having a basic mindset of curiosity and a willingness to be vulnerable, embrace change, and grow.”    They involve having “a natural sense of curiosity, a readiness to embrace vulnerability, and a willingness to adapt, evolve, and expand”. Openness and a Learning Mindset are fundamental in making those inner changes. Openness within oneself means being open to new experiences, feelings, and discovery of self. Having a mind and heart that are open allows us to withhold fear and judgment when we dive deep into our emotions, thoughts, and beliefs.  While a learning mindset involves “adopting a stance of continuous self-improvement and personal growth”. It means seeing and understanding that we can evolve, make changes, and get better over time. When we embrace a learning mindset, we are able to seek knowledge, meet obstacles, and adapt to our ever-changing lives. These skills encourage a connection to our inner self that is enriching and in sync with your inner world and outer world, which really helps build our ability to be resilient and accepting of who we are at our core. So, how do you stay open when you have a different opinion from another? Also, are you serious about having an inquiring mindset when you encounter views that are very different from your own?
Compassion: The healing light.
by QueenAsphodel17
Last post
 1 day ago
...See more “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” – Dalai Lama In the current state of the world, with so much violence and stress - compassion is the healing medicine that we as a collective need the most. When we cultivate compassion, not only do we learn how to empathize with others, but we also learn to pour kindness and understanding on ourselves.  ✨ What is compassion?  According to a research, Compassion entails five elements that apply to the self or others:  1) recognising suffering,  2) understanding the universality of suffering in human experience,  3) feeling for the person suffering and emotionally connecting with their distress,  4) tolerating any uncomfortable feelings aroused (e.g., fear, disgust, distress, anger) so that we remain accepting and open to the person in their suffering, and  5) acting or being motivated to act to alleviate the suffering  (Link [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5315311/#:~:text=They%20concluded%20that%20compassion%20entails,any%20uncomfortable%20feelings%20aroused%20(e.g.%2C])  ✨ How do I practice compassion?  - Every morning I set an intention to be understanding, to be accepting and to be attentive to my inner self. Compassion starts with you. When you fill your cup, you can pour on other's cups too. Here's a intention prayer that Dalai Lama used to make every morning: “Today I am fortunate to have woken up, I am alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others, to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings, I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others, I am going to benefit others as much as I can.”  - Meet more people, make more connections with others. The more you learn about the diversity of human lives the more you'll find yourself opening up to new perspective. Meeting people will help you understand that despite all the differences in identities and opinion, at the root of it all, we are all human beings. We need food, and shelter, and love. We crave attention, and recognition, and affection, and above all, happiness. .- Another practice I’ve found helpful is loving-kindness meditation. It encourages sending thoughts of goodwill and care to myself and others, helping me build a more compassionate mindset.  🪞 Reflection:  🖋️ Tell us about a time when compassion from someone has deeply impacted you?  🖋️ Share two ways you can show compassion to someone today.
Finding Your Inner Compass
by Angelanj
Last post
 1 day ago
...See more Our inner compass is an powerful instrument that helps us find our real north, or our genuine selves. Our inner voice is what speaks our deepest hopes, anxieties, and wishes. However, it might be simple to lose contact with this internal guidance system in the fast-paced world of today. Have you ever felt disoriented, unclear of your direction, or cut off from your basic principles? Our inner compass can be our greatest resource during these times. We can obtain guidance and clarity by connecting with our intuition and paying attention to the still, inner voice. Here are some questions that can help you to strengthen your inner compass and live more authentically : * How do you define your inner compass? What role does it play in your life? * Share a time when you relied on your inner compass to make a significant decision. What was the outcome?
Topic: Self-Awareness
by Wallis
Last post
 1 day ago
...See more Self-Awareness is a skill that I need to practice all my life. In the growth path, it says: Self-awareness also entails recognizing both strengths and weaknesses, acknowledging past mistakes, and celebrating achievements, leading to a realistic self-image that forms the basis for healthy self-esteem and self-acceptance.   I believe that we all have a self-image inside, which shapes our self-esteem along with many other things. A false self-image can lead to a false idea of what we should do or should not do. I was always lucky to have someone who was close to me to remind me when I was mislead by any false self-image. To have a realistic self-image, I reflect a lot to have a right understanding of myself. I gradually starts to accept my weakness and find ways to eliminate any negative consequences of them. For example, when I found myself too anxious and impatient in a certain circumstance, I would step outside for a while till I calm down.   I would like to encourage you to discuss the question below: Try to describe your self-image before and after you practice self-awareness. Can you identify any new characteristics of your realistic self-image now? I welcome you to reply this post and share your findings!
Taking ACTION when you don't feel like it
by Frankie111
Last post
 1 day ago
...See more To make change in ones life, actually ACTING on what one desires is such an important concept. In my experience, it’s true that it does take courage, resilience, hope, and optimism. I’ve recently found that I shouldn’t wait for my feelings to change before taking action, but rather that by taking the action that my feelings end up changing positively.   I was recently unmotivated to work out. I set a goal that first thing in the morning I was going to do a short 15 to 20 min hitt workout 4 days a week, while listening to fun music. Now that I’ve been doing it for a few weeks, it’s turned into a habit and I’m actually feeling really good about it. Have you ever taken ACTION on something, despite not feeling totally ready/motivated? How did it work out for you?
Openness and Learning Mindset
by hopefulDew435
Last post
 1 day ago
...See more As a kid, it's typical of us to be curious about the world. We'd frequently ask questions and look at things in wonder of how they came to be or what they are. It was because of that curiousity, that we were able to learn and grow. As an adult, having an openness and learning mindset entails being vulnerable and accepting of change; it's how we evolve overtime. When we challenge ourselves beyond our abilities and skills, only then can we truly learn.  Imagine you have a lock inside your mind, holding your abilities hostage. Eventually, you find a key and unlock it, thereby leaving those abilities vulnerable. Well, what if that lock and key was actually you? You can either be the lock that considers your abilities to be unchangeable or fixed, or you can be the key that leaves yourself open to experience and growth.  Let's think about this as two distinct concepts: a fixed mindset vs. a growth mindset. With a fixed mindset, you believe your intelligence and capabilities are set in stone. As a result, you avoid challenges, give up easily when faced with problems, view positive feedback as criticism, etcetera.  Conversely, when you believe that your intelligence and capabilities can be improved and/or developed, you're able to adopt a growth mindset, which results in being receptive to feedback and challenges, viewing the success of others as inspiration, accepting problems as opportunities to persist and learn, and more.  I used to be scared of challenging myself, as I would consider it as leaving myself open to judgement and criticism. Additionally, I had a fear of failure. It wasn't until I intentionally embarked on a self-development journey, that I realized the importance of moving beyond my comfort zone. I discovered that when I challenged myself, I was able to leave myself open to new experiences, and even if I had failed, it was not a setback, but rather a stepping stone to either try a different approach or move towards a new direction. Consequently, I was able attain self-improvement and increase my self-confidence and skills. When I find myself resistant to change, I use the affirmation, "I embrace challenges because they allow me to grow". It reinforces the idea that continuous learning and growth is possible.  I now invite you to reflect and share your thoughts on the following:  * What makes an openness and learning mindset essential to your growth?  * What are some barriers that prevent you from having an openness and learning mindset?  * How can you practice having an openness and learning mindset? 
"Where Words Fail, Music Speaks"
by Ivy229
Last post
 1 day ago
...See more Hi fellow IDG members, In this post I would like to discussion one of my favorite music quotes and how it relates to inner development growth. Music is truly one of the most universal languages in the world and has the power to transcend across all barriers of communication.  The famous quote by Hans Christian Andersen, "Where Words Fail, Music Speaks" does just that in a simple yet powerful quote.                                                   Some of the ways music connects with inner development growth includes music can help express thoughts, feelings, emotions, bridges the gap where one person can connect with a person deep down in the most vulnerable parts of your soul, it can stimulate the mind, and even alter our mood. All these aspects can lead to increased self-awareness and personal growth.  Additionally, it makes sense why music therapy is a specialized form of treatment apart from the traditional method of talk therapy. Some of the reasons behind this is because it provides comfort during good moments just as well as the most challenging and darkest moments a person can go through. It motivates you to work out, to relax, to feel better when you are down, inspire and help contempt life decisions.  In essence, music can speak to us in ways that words sometimes cannot. ------------------------- Discussion Questions: Can you share a personal experience where music helped you express or understand your emotions when words fell short? How do you think music contributes to personal development and growth? Can you provide examples from your own life or observations? I look forward to seeing your answers and learning how this post and music helps you connect and your inner development growth. 
My Journey Relearning The Meaning of Self Awareness
by fruityCherry7666
Last post
 2 days ago
...See more One idea that struck me in the Inner Development Goals training was the idea that self-awareness is multifaceted and multifunctional. Before I started this course, I was under the impression that self-awareness meant knowing yourself on a basic level, like understanding why you would do certain things or react in a specific way when facing confrontation, but that was about it. There was nothing more you could do with the things that self-awareness shows you. I thought of the idea and skill of being self-aware as a helpful insight but not a functional tool used for major self-growth.  Self-awareness being the foundation for better self-regulation is a basic idea in hindsight, but before this training, I had not thought that the two were connected. It makes perfect sense now that I have learned that these two skills rely on each other. Of course, I must know myself to be able to regulate. How would I know what helps me regulate if I don’t know what “makes me tick”?  After mulling over the idea that self-regulation relies on self-awareness, I have started to build a “tool kit” of things that could grow both skills in tandem. Some of my ideas are meditation, mindful self-care, and journaling with my nightly cup of tea. I plan to watch how I feel when I do these activities to understand my self-regulation better, and I hope that grows my self-awareness!  Now, my question is, what do you do for self-awareness and self-regulation? Do you practice both of these skills in tandem like me or separately? Why or why not?  
💞Appreciation: Cultivating Joy in Our Connections!💞
by Phoenixthepoised
Last post
 3 days ago
...See more Greetings, Amazing Humans! 💫  Appreciation is the magic of connecting with others and the world around us through gratitude and joy! It helps us see the little things that often go unnoticed and strengthens our bonds with others. When we express gratitude, we not only uplift ourselves but also create a ripple effect of positivity in our communities.  Ready to sprinkle some appreciation into your life? Here are some fun ideas to try: Gratitude Journaling: Take a few minutes each day to jot down three things you appreciate whether it’s a kind word from a friend, a beautiful sunset, or a favorite song. This simple practice can shift your mindset and help you notice the positives around you! 📓✨ Thank-You Notes: Grab some cute stationery and write spontaneous thank-you notes to people who make your life brighter—your barista, a coworker, or a friend. Hand them out with a smile! It’s like giving a little piece of happiness. 💌 Create an Appreciation Wall: Find a space at home or in your community where people can post sticky notes of what they appreciate about others. Watch as the wall fills up with positivity and love! It’s a visual reminder of all the goodness around us. 📝💕 Discussion Questions: * Can you recall a time when someone’s appreciation left a lasting impact on you? What did they say or do, and how did it change your perspective? * If you could write a thank-you note to your future self, what would you say? 
Key Inner Development Goal: Self-Awareness
by QueenAsphodel17
Last post
 3 days ago
...See more Growing up, we are molded by the society and other external influences into being someone who might survive well in the particular societal structure - but it makes us forget who are truly are inside. Once we start being aware, the process of finding internal gold mine within each of us gets started. Being aware of ourselves, internally and externally can help us notice our buried emotions, our motives, strengths and flaws. As we become more aware of our thoughts and action through frequent reflection, so much about how we interact with the world changes. Our ability to make more deliberate decision rather than reactive ones is increased. We make more choices in life that are aligned with our values, increasing our life satisfaction. We consciously surround ourselves with better friends, choose better environment that would help us thrive and can design and eventually live the life we are truly happy living.  ✨ How I've been able to cultive self awareness:  - I've used the help of ChatGPT and other AIchatbots with appropriate prompts to provide me insights based on my vent. I'd say it skyrocketed my self awareness.  - Being very attentive to what makes you feel bad or good or any sort of emotion when you interact with life everyday. All these emotions are the language of your body, informing you more about yourself.  - Book an appointment with a therapist or a coach or mental health support person! Or even reflect on your day and your life with a listener in 7 cups of team. Sometimes a second person perspective can help us see what we might miss.  - Meditate.  - Journal - Follow more paths available in 7 cups of tea and complete the exercises!  🪞 Reflection:  I'd love to hear about your strategies for enhancing self-awareness!  🖋️Which methods or techniques have you found to be effective? 🖋️ How has self-awareness improved the quality of your life and choices?
Identifying and Remembering Self
by BeesOnFlowers
Last post
 3 days ago
...See more Self acceptance has always been such a difficult subject for me. I tend to get into relationships where I'm the fixer, whether it's romantic, platonic, or just peer. I want to help someone and I often don the white scrubs of a clinical therapist and sit with one knee hooked over the other (even if it hurts after an hour). That's all to say that I often meet problems with being stifled. It's easy to nod and accept others, but recognizing your own boundaries can be difficult. My values and beliefs take such a back seat, I don't even look at them half the time! But it's not healthy to forget yourself so often. To ignore your feelings for the sake of others.  It comes as second nature to so many of us, but sometimes we treat ourselves so dismissively. This is a behavior I had to recognize and actively dwell over. After a long day of listening to my family's struggles and woes, I sit down and journal. I made myself a rule to never journal about any one else's problems- to leave that for their own journals. Mine is for me. How do I feel? What are my goals? Did I have fun today? What did I succeed at? What are my plans tomorrow?     That's a form of mindfulness! It helps strengthen your relationship with yourself. It's not selfish to say 'I'.    That's a hard fact to learn.  When you put your feelings on the back burner, we run the risk of it boiling over out of eyesight.    Don't forget to tend to them too. 🌼 What ways have you found to help you stay mindful and accepting of your own feelings?
Topic: Openness and Learning Mindset
by Wallis
Last post
 Friday
...See more Openness and Learning Mindset is an important skill, especially for listeners. We must learn to be open ourselves first, then it can be possible for us to have an open and learning mindset to others. In the growth path, it says: A Learning Mindset involves adopting a stance of continuous self-improvement and personal growth. It means recognizing that our inner landscape is not static but can evolve, change, and improve over time. Embracing a learning mindset encourages us to seek knowledge, face challenges, and adapt to life's ever-changing circumstances. It is important to have a learning mindset, so we can keep improve ourselves. In my listening journey, I found the learning mindset helpful in that it can help create a space without judgement between me and the members. As a volunteer listener, I lack knowledge in many aspects of mental health. Usually I would acknowledge this to the members when they wanted to talk about an unfamiliar topic, if the member acknowledged this and still wanted to talk, I would continue the chat and try to learn from the member. To practice this skill, we can first try on ourselves, and then apply this skill to our listening experience.  I would like to encourage you to discussion the question below:  After you practice openness and learning mindset, can you observe any changes in the way you treat yourself and others?  I welcome you to reply this post and share your findings! 
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