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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!
Taking ACTION when you don't feel like it
by Frankie111
Last post
 2 days 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?
Optimism
by GentleHealingInitiative
Last post
 October 24th
...See more Image Source [https://pixabay.com/photos/chrysanthemums-yellow-flowers-bloom-5646526] Have you ever met someone who seemed to always bounce back and even thrive in the face of adversity? Do you wonder how they do this? A quality these persons seem to always possess is that of optimism. Optimists tend to have a positive attitude, a sense of hope and confidence that there is the possibility of meaningful change even when it doesn’t seem warranted. However, optimism goes far beyond just having only blind faith and positivity. Rather, one must put in the work to achieve the steps needed to accomplish one’s goals. It seems like no matter how dreary the situation is, optimists seem to be proactive, facing it head on. However, what about those persons who may not necessarily be optimists? A person may have faced persistent setbacks, the weight of mundane responsibilities taking its toll or even other stressors that caused them to lose optimism or lack optimism as they progress in life. The list of reasons a person may lack optimism can be extensive. However, can one cultivate the skill of optimism? Is it even possible? While some people seem to have an innate capacity to be optimists, optimism is said to be a skill that can be cultivated. Here are some ways I’ve found helpful to develop optimism: Finding purpose- When we find a sense of purpose and belongingness, we foster a feeling of fulfilment. I’ve found that finding what my core values are, that is, who I am and what I stand for gave me the needed direction to hone the skills necessary for a more purposeful and fulfilled life. Practice mindfulness- Mindfulness is described as the ability to be fully aware of one’s situation and surroundings at any moment. Meditation and gratitude journaling were some ways I practiced mindfulness. It fostered a sense of peace, calm and appreciation creating a more realistic and positive outlook of my life. Positive Feedback- Whenever I completed a task (no matter how small) I always ensured to congratulate myself, being my own little inner cheerleader. I found after a while, there was a shift in mindset, where I subconsciously incorporated positive feedback in my thoughts. Reduce consumption of news- A key aspect in cultivating optimism was limiting how often I chose to read and listen to the news. Constant streaming of distressing news significantly impacted my mental wellbeing, also dampening my outlook on life. I started setting time limits to be well informed of the news from reputable sources. Please share your thoughts and let's reflect on the following questions. You are welcome to answer any or all: 🌱 When was the last time you felt optimistic? 🌱 Do you think optimism is a skill that can be developed? 🌱 If so, how do you think you can cultivate optimism in your life? ------------------------- Optimism is one of the skills found in the fifth Dimension (Acting- Enabling Change) of the Inner Developmental Goals. I appreciate your time and patience in reading this post. Please do have a beautiful day. 🌻
❤︎ Choose Optimism ❤︎
by YourShouder03
Last post
 October 16th
...See more ⋆˙⟡♡₊˚⊹. "When it rains, look for rainbows" .⊹˚₊♡⟡˙⋆ Lets be honest- this is easier said than done.  Believing in light when all you've ever known is darkness can feel almost impossible. But this form of attitude doesn't mean you force yourself into fake positivity. Instead, it allows us to stop, breathe and reflect. Optimistic people assess the difficulties and understand setbacks are temporary and its potential for personal growth. Research has demonstrated how these individuals have lower stress levels, longer lifespans and overall better physical health.  How To Master Optimism: * Find at least one positive in each situation ❤︎ * Practise gratitude ❤︎ * Set realistic goals ❤︎ * Be mindful of self-talk ❤︎ * Challenge negative thoughts ❤︎ * Surround yourself with positive influences ❤︎ * Give yourself a level of grace ❤︎ * Remember everything passes - good or bad. ❤︎ Q&A : ☆ Give an example of a difficult situation you faced, whats one positive thing you gained from it?  ☆ How important do you think being optimistic is?
Optimism
by Admirablerainbow2825
Last post
 October 11th
...See more Optimism is the ability to look at the positives of a situation. It is also the ability to think positively. What are some of the benefits of being optimistic? People who are more optimistic have better pain management, improved immune and cardiovascular function, and greater physical functioning. Optimism helps buffer the negative effects of physical illness  What is optimistic bias? The tendency to overestimate the likelihood of positive outcomes and downplay the possibility of negative ones is called optimistic bias. Evidence suggests that men and women share similar levels of optimism, but there are gender differences in what they are optimistic about. Men, for example, have been found to hold more optimistic views about the economic future. During economic downturns, however, the gender difference disappears. Causes of optimism Some of the factors that influence one to be optimistic are culture, environment, genetics and upbringing. Effects/Impacts of being Optimistic ·       Better Health: Studies have shown that individuals who are optimistic have less cardiovascular issues. ·       Greater Achievement: Being optimistic gives us positive energy which helps us achieve our goals. ·       Persistence: Optimists are more likely to face challenges, setbacks and obstacles than pessimists. They are less likely to give up easily. ·       Emotional Health: Research suggests that cognitive therapy (which involves reframing a person's thought processes) can be as effective or more effective than antidepressant medications in the treatment of clinical depression. ·       Increased Longevity: Optimists tend to live longer ·       Less Stress: Optimists have better stress management than pessismists. How can one be more optimistic?
Perseverance: When to give up
by Meloverse
Last post
 October 9th
...See more Perseverance has always been an interesting quality that many people praise others for having.  It is defined as the ability to continue pushing forward towards your goal even when progress is slow or when obstacles are thrown in your way.  It can lead to great accomplishments, like earning a degree or overcoming a personal struggle.  However, perseverance towards a harmful goal can become destructive, hurting yourself and others along the way.  I see this play out most often with my mom.  I have to admit that I do not have the perseverance that she does but I see often how it becomes destructive.  For example, it was her perseverance that allowed her to earn her degree despite multiple setbacks and examination failures along the way but she did not give up until she earned her degree.  However, this same characteristic also causes her to sacrifice her own mental health and well-being to help someone who doesn't want to be helped.  She just can't let things go until her goal has been reached.  Seeing this growing up, I learned that despite being told that I need to persevere, there should be a limit, a time to give up.  I was involved with someone who kept stringing me along, and despite knowing it wasn’t healthy, I couldn’t let go. I kept pushing, trying to show how caring I was and hoping he’d see what he was missing. I also pressured him to give me a clear answer on whether he wanted to be with me or not. In the end, this persistence only caused me to develop mental health issues, leaving me miserable. Looking back, I realize I should have walked away much earlier. In my opinion, perseverance can be an amazing quality.  However, when trying to reach that goal, your own health starts to decline and it's starting to take over your entire life, it might be time to give up.   What signs might indicate that it’s time to stop pushing for something and let go?
Courage
by GentleHealingInitiative
Last post
 October 8th
...See more “You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor,” Aristotle. When I first saw courage as a skill, I immediately thought of this quote. I thought to myself that courage is needed in almost everything that we do in this world. It is defined as the ability to uphold one’s values, even when making difficult decisions and taking purposeful actions. Courage is needed to advocate for others and oneself, have difficult discussions and especially to forgive people who have hurt us. It is needed in day to day life to pursue our dreams, hopes and ambitions. Courage is often associated with being fearless and dramatic. However, it can sometimes look like quiet perseverance. This refers to maintaining your focus on your goals even in the face of setbacks. It can simply mean the courage to get out of bed in the morning and show up to where you are needed, although you feel emotionally drained, exhausted and inept. This in itself takes great effort, courage and strength. In order to do this, however, we may sometimes need to tap into our capacity for courage. That is, ways to feel more courageous. Here are three ways that I’ve found helpful when I needed to build my courage: Visualize myself as courageous- I tend to journal acts of courage that I performed in the past. For instance, speaking to large crowds or standing up for others. Creating a past inventory of courageous personal actions, no matter how small, tends to give me a psychological boost and helps inspire me. Step out of comfort zones- Engaging in activities that may be out of my comfort zone can build self-confidence and decrease fear associated with the activity. Clarify my values- Courage is easier to see in others than yourself. However, when we clarify our values, that is, what we stand for and what is important for ourselves, we may feel more capable of feeling more courageous and face what’s ahead despite the pangs of fear and anxiety. Let’s explore some open reflective questions. You are more than welcome to answer any or both: 🌱 What is one courageous action (no matter how small) you’ve taken recently? 🌱 What is one way you’ve found helpful when you needed to tap into your capacity for courage? ------------------------- Courage is one of the skills found in the fifth Dimension (Acting- Enabling Change) of the Inner Developmental Goals. Image Source [https://www.infinumgrowth.com/building-courage-change-resolution] I appreciate your time and patience in reading this post. Please do have a beautiful day. 🌷
Resilience
by radiantPainting
Last post
 October 8th
...See more Resilience is the human capacity to withstand, recover, and grow in the face of adversity. It is the ability to absorb and adapt to difficult experiences, emerging stronger and more whole. It's the ability to withstand all troubles and push forward with a smile and positive attitude. This essential quality enables individuals to navigate life's challenges, from everyday stress to traumatic events, and transform them into opportunities for growth. It is not innate, but rather, it is a skill that can be developed and strengthened over time.  It covers many components, including emotion regulation, self-awareness, problem-solving, social support, meaning-making, deter tomination and discipline building.  Cultivating resilience in daily life offers numerous benefits, including improved mental health, enhanced well-being, better relationships, increased adaptability and. personal growth. To develop resilience, consider prioritizing physical, emotional, and mental well-being, viewing difficulties as opportunities for growth, breaking down complex issues into manageable tasks, nurturing supportive relationships and focusing on the positive aspects of life. Resilience is determination. Not letting the hardships of the world weigh you down. It involves pushing forward in the face of adversity. Resilience is strength and discipline. Reflect on your life. Have you ever put the quality of resilience to work? How did it turn out?
Optimism
by RainbowRosie
Last post
 October 2nd
...See more Hi there fellow IDG folk 😀 I hope you’re all well. I’d like to talk about ‘Optimism’ = The ability to sustain and communicate a sense of hope, positive attitude and confidence In the possibility of meaningful change. I see myself as an optimistic person or at least try to be.  I know there have been times when my optimism has pulled me through some difficult situations but equally there have been other times when it’s …dipped 😕.  When this happens I can go quiet…take myself off somewhere …maybe just read a book…not want to talk about how I feel with anyone…other times I want to talk…I want to vent…(thanks to family and friends who have put up with my moaning 😆). Other times I’ve taken the dog out….he never complains about another walk 🐶 or even my moaning poor lad…Before long the fresh air gets into my lungs and it’s then when out and about…my head begins to feel lighter…I begin to feel less stressed. It’s then I see things for what they are and my mind begins to change. It’s like the sun has come out behind a cloud and I begin to feel more positive and optimistic ☀️. I also now journal, just for a couple of minutes each day. I’ve found it very therapeutic and quite look forward to putting my thoughts into paper.  Ok, question time; 1. What works for you when circumstances are such that you feel you don’t hold much optimism?  2. I love quotes especially positive quotes. Here’s some of mine below but please feel free to let me know one of yours?  🌹 ‘The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be’. 🌹 ‘The question isn’t who is going to let me, it’s who is going to stop me’. The next two always make me smile 😀 🌹 ‘Whatever you do, always give 100%, unless you’re donating blood’ 😂 🌹 ‘The key to happiness is a positive mindset, a great sense of humour..and a lot of chocolate’ 😂 On a more serious note; Please remember whatever you’re going through it’s important to feel our emotions…and tomorrow is another day… 🌹 Rosie 🌹
Courage and creativity
by radiantPainting
Last post
 September 29th
...See more Creativity and courage. Very different or very similar? A lot of people consider themselves to be courageous and some others consider themselves as being creative. For some other people, it's am unregulated mixture of both. For some people, either or or both of these qualities are among there core or top strengths. However, no one ever talks about the courage to be creative. Creativity is a relative concept. That means everyone has a different way they view creativity. However, no one can deny that it takes a lot of courage to be creative. To be willing to share that creativity with the world irrespective of people's opinions. To be able to risk not being creative at all or not being original. To be able to risk finding no inspiration at all.  Courage and creativity are two sides of the same coin. Courageous creativity and creative courage are however not the same thing. The difference is very little but very present as well. Can you spot it? One means to express courage in a creative way and the other means to express creativity in a courageous way. Which do you think is which and when have you experienced or practised either or both? Courage and creativity are part of the values taught in the Inner Development Goals Course, you can learn more about more such values in the course here: https://www.7cups.com/forum/academy/AcademyPrograms_2311/InnerDevelopmentGoalsCourse_318284/
❤️ The importance of courage ❤️
by Daf8
Last post
 September 27th
...See more ❤️  ❤️ ❤️ Welcome! According to the dictionary, courage is “the ability to do something that frightens one” and “strength in the face of pain or grief”. It allows us to fight injustice, make tough but important decisions and live a full life, even when it is scary. Isn’t it amazing how one act of courage can change your life? ❤️ ❤️ Courage is needed to ask the love of one’s life out, to speak up when someone is mistreating you, to move out, to take a job offer, to send risky messages, to start a new adventure and, in short, to evolve. It’s what we use to put our determination into practice and what allowed history to happen. While being scared is natural (and valid!) and fear can be helpful (by warning us of the danger), having the courage to take important steps is very beneficial: the ones that chose not to go to the Moon didn’t make it to our History books! ❤️ ❤️ Moreover, being able to read this on your device is a direct result of courage. If the people responsible for today’s technology didn’t dare to try something new, experiment and work on the weird concepts that formed our everyday lives, we wouldn’t have the things we have today. We wouldn’t even have 7 Cups! After all, the mental health movement happened (and happens) thanks to courage, too. Most decisions are a result of courage (even making a decision requires courage!), and we are the result of a series of decisions ❤️ ❤️ Let’s reflect on the quotes “Regret is worse than rejection” and “Better done than perfect”. When it comes to social matters, if we use our courage to take the leap of faith and get rejected, it will be painful, yes, but we will eventually recover and we will know that we did all we could. But if we don’t use our courage, we might wonder what could have happened our entire lives, and asking ourselves if we let the greatest opportunity pass is worse than a rejection we can recover from. And, when it comes to perfectionism and fear stopping us from taking action, we often forget that having something imperfect is better than having nothing: if we need to make and deliver a key tonight, it’s better to have a simpler key than no key at all. After all, we can use a simpler key, but we can’t use a nonexistent key. We need to let our courage be that key to progress and a better life ❤️ ❤️ How do we do that? It can look different for everyone, but things like making a plan (if it’s not something spontaneous), comforting yourself, using affirmations that resonate with you, positive self-talk, getting support, taking deep breaths, trying to make the hardest parts more manageable and rewarding yourself might help ❤️ ❤️ Fear is a part of life: it can prevent us from making bad decisions and exposing ourselves to danger. However, frequently, the courage to continue and fight our fears is the force we need to keep growing. As they say in The Princess Diaries, courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something is more important than fear. So, today, I invite you to use your courage whenever it is more beneficial than fear ❤️ ❤️ Discussion questions: ❤️ ❤️ ✅ 1- What does courage mean to you? ❤️ ❤️ ✅ 2- Please think of an act of courage that you did. What fueled your courage? What was the result of your courage? If you feel comfortable doing so, please share the story and/or tips to use our courage! ❤️  ❤️ Thank you for having the courage to be you ❤️
Courage - Big and Small Changes
by seaturtle54
Last post
 September 11th
...See more Hi again! For my second quality I decided to write about courage, which is a trait that I admire a lot but sometimes struggle to harness in my own life. A large part of courage is overcoming difficulty and uncertainty, which can be very hard to do. However, I believe we all have the capacity to show courage, and it’s really important that we do because, as we learn in the Inner Development Goals course, it’s a big part of acting and making change both inside and outside of ourselves. Many of the greatest leaders in both history and modern times have shown outstanding courage in standing up to unfair social structures and practices and are responsible for making the world a better place for everyone. If it wasn’t for their courage and strong commitment to their values in spite of the status quo, nothing ever would have changed. This is a very powerful lesson to learn because it shows how much a single person can do just by being brave enough to take action. Of course, not all of us are leaders on that scale (at least not yet!), and taking small steps can help us build up our courage to something bigger. With that being said, here are two questions I came up with to help us reflect on courage in history and our own lives: * Who is a leader you look up to, and how did they show courage against strong odds? * What’s something in your life you’ve been afraid to do, and what’s a small step you can take toward eventually doing it? Again, thank you everyone for interacting with this discussion!
Creativity as a Skill
by Ashen4
Last post
 September 11th
...See more For my second post, I want to talk about creativity. When I was growing up, creativity was usually relegated to the realm of fine art (e.g. writers, painters, sculptors), and it was also often associated with talent. That is, people usually talked about creativity like a trait rather than a skill—it was either something you had or you didn't. Contrary to that kind of mindset, I really appreciated the way that the IDG growth path highlighted the effort that should be placed into nurturing creativity as a skill: as they note, it's important that we make "dedicated time for brainstorming and idea generation," while also using "mindfulness techniques to clear your mind and encourage fresh, creative thinking." Instead of being something that we just have or don't have, which places it out of our control, the IDG path highlights the actual changes we can make to improve our ability to generate new, innovative ideas. Personally, I started setting aside dedicated time with fellow friends who were also struggling with creative burnout so that both of us could ideate independently, and then we discussed the ideas we had. Doing this gave me far more concrete ideas to work with rather than relying on "inspiration," which can be fleeting, as an excuse. Of course, I welcome inspiration at all times, but that shouldn't be an excuse not to continue trying to work hard to generate new ideas! For everyone else in the IDG community, what changes do you want to make (or what changes have you already made) in your life to help you practice and promote creativity? I'd love to hear from everyone!
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