Course 3: PL 102 - Introduction and Story (Discussion 2)

1. What was the thing that stood out to you most in the introduction?

What stood out to me was that 7 cups really wants to help people know that they’re not alone in their problems, and I like how they encouraged the reader by showing they believe in the reader, regardless if they see their own potential or not.

2. What was the most important lesson you learned from the story of Ancora (Chapter 1)?

This lesson really spoke to me because it represents the life I live right now. I don’t ask for help most of the time and usually just communicate with others via phone. Over quarantine, I was able to talk to my family more, which never happened because I would always hide away in my room. I learned that it’s important to ask for help and communicate in person with people.

3. How can we learn and help others get more comfortable with the idea that asking for help - or experiencing need - is a strength or a skill that we need to develop to help one another grow stronger?

It is a skill we need to practice and develop. I used to never ask people for help because I thought my problems were “stupid” and people would think of me differently if I were to ask for help. I think telling people that their problems are valid and we would love to help them in any way we can is important and makes them more inclined to ask for help. Then they can get the help they need and feel much better, which in turn makes them help other people.

@GlenM
What was the thing that stood out to you most in the introduction?
- Personal growth is not easy, sometimes it doesn't make sense but that's how life is.

What was a most important lesson you learned from the story of Ancora?
- I learned a lot of things. Being rich doesn't make you the most happiest person in the world and/or makes your life easier, viceversa. Asking for help doesn't make anyone weak.

How can we learn and help others get more comfortable with the idea that asking for help - or experiencing need - is a strength or a skill that we need to develop to help one another grow stronger?
- Being non-judgemental and asking for help ourselves, maybe that makes them more comfortable seeking for help.

@GlenM

1. What was the thing that stood out to you most in the introduction?
This may seem like a strange answer, but, introductions are really important. Seeing as this is the first thing the reader will see, it needs to be engaging and pull the reader in. This book does just that, but not in the way you'd expect. It feels like a close friend confiding in you rather than just another self-help book out there. That's what stood out to me most.

2. What was  most important lesson you learned from the story of Ancora (Chapter 1)?  Â
It is crucial to support one another. Without compassion for others, we lose significance and humanity.


3. How can we learn and help others get more comfortable with the idea that asking for help - or experiencing need - is a strength or a skill that we need to develop to help one another grow stronger?
By being open and honest. Engaging in community tasks, getting to know them more, earning their trust. Frequently letting them know that it is okay to ask for help.

▪︎ What was the thing that stood out to you most in the introduction?
~ I really love how the introduction serves the book's purpose, it is honest, straight and provides encouragement and support to the reader. I felt it was talking straight to my mind, like a connection. Also, I love the message the author is trying to convey to the readers through the book.

▪︎ What was most important lesson you learned from the story of Ancora (Chapter 1)?
~ It is important to be open about your problems and seek help when you need, if only we admit our problems we can seek help and receive proper help and genuinely be able to help others. Acting like everything is well and pretending to be okay won't solve your problem, it will keep you from reaching out and you will not be able to heal. The cure to healing is trust, hope and love.

▪︎ How can we learn and help others get more comfortable with the idea that asking for help - or experiencing need - is a strength or a skill that we need to develop to help one another grow stronger?
~ Being open to learning and asking for help when needed, help others when you can. Understanding that asking for help is never a sign of weakness, it shows we are brave enough to be open about our problems and reach out for help. Seeking and providing help brings a sense of trust, hope and love in the community.

1. What was the thing that stood out to you most in the introduction?
I like how it sets expectations. Few other small but meaningful things also stood out: not to rush, that there will be uncomfortable parts and its way of explaining maladaptive thoughts.
2. What was the most important lesson you learned from the story of Ancora (Chapter 1)?
It is "need" that often drives people to become resilient. It gives no choice to avoid facing challenges or mask their issues. It becomes more about survival. In the modern world, we can often be complacent about things and have the space to be fragile. I find that relating our small actions to our objectives makes them necessary in their own right which motivates action. I know how my mental health is important if I want to achieve my objectives so I will take care of it- i feel the "need" to.
3. How can we learn and help others get more comfortable with the idea that asking for help - or experiencing need - is a strength or a skill that we need to develop to help one another grow stronger?
I think the reason people do not seek out help is that they have had experiences that suggest seeking out help will not lead to a good outcome. Sometimes this is true. Creating a space where people feel safe, like in 7 Cups, is one way to make people believe in the idea of seeking help. At the individual level, making people around us feel that they can turn to us can initiate change gradually. Kindness spreads.

@GlenM

1. What was the thing that stood out to you most in the introduction?

We do not have to be so hard on ourselves, there is always an opportunity to grow, we learn from mistakes and successes. We have to fight for our own well-being

2. What was the most important lesson you learned from the story of Ancora (Chapter 1)? Â Â

Having a work team will make everything easier for us, even personally, teamwork has helped me heal, help is always good, we must always share, because there is nothing better than a good hug in difficult times,

3. How can we learn and help others get more comfortable with the idea that asking for help - or experiencing need - is a strength or a skill that we need to develop to help one another grow stronger?

I think it can be through trust, if we talk about our feelings, the other person will also want to express themselves, I think the team is everything, shaking hands is a kindness, let's set our example and be reciprocal

@GlenM

1. What was the thing that stood out to you most in the introduction?

1. “Many people like to pretend life is crystal clear. It isn’t (and it isn’t clear for them either). Life is often confusing and feeling unsure is pretty normal”

Even I struggled with this thought for a long time in my life. I thought things are going wrong only for me and ended up victimizing myself. However, its never a straight path full of roses for anyone. I liked how we normalized our imperfect lives in these statements.

2. “We will teach you how to face and overcome problems so you can unlock the hidden gifts they contain”

I like how 7Cups believes in us for so much more than we know about ourselves.

2. What was  most important lesson you learned from the story of Ancora (Chapter 1)?  Â

1. To solve our problems, we have to face it, there is no other option or shortcut. Or as it is rightly said- The only way out is through.

2. Sharing our feelings, problems makes it easier for us.

3. Qualities like Hope, Trust, Love help people differently.

4. Need forces you to face your problems and ask for help in solving them. Once you receive the help, you feel better and want to help others. This is the basic process that creates healing

3. How can we learn and help others get more comfortable with the idea that asking for help - or experiencing need - is a strength or a skill that we need to develop to help one another grow stronger?

By making them aware of how it is a vicious cycle and we need to get out of it (Education is the key); by giving them more examples and showing the advantages of doing the same.

@GlenM

1. What was the thing that stood out to you most in the introduction?

First of all I must say I got to read the “7 cups for the searching soul” book when I joined 7Cups. I Remember traversing through the pages mesmerized by it's content and how relevant it was. The words in that guide were of utmost truth that many people are unable to realize. I’m grateful that I found this place as it was the best thing that could happen to me.

So, even though I started reading this a few years back, I read it again to refresh my memory (at least the first few chapters) and what stood up to me was the fact that 7Cups accepted people's differences and more importantly it believed in people. Not only faith but it had hope for people, it stated that it's ok to be sad sometimes and it wasn't judging people for who they are.

2. What was  most important lesson you learned from the story of Ancora (Chapter 1)?

Irrespective of the other person's race, color, attitude, personality (and any other difference people may have) we should always lend a helping hand or simply a listening ear. You never know that the small time you spend listening to them would be their life changing moment or could be the best time they had in a long time. Even a simple smile towards another person could change their day. You never know.

3. How can we learn and help others get more comfortable with the idea that asking for help - or experiencing need - is a strength or a skill that we need to develop to help one another grow stronger?

I think the first step to make others feel comfortable with this is to accept and value them for who they are. If we criticize them or laugh at them for their differences that's only going to make them even more scared to open up and maybe to make them feel they have to keep everything to themselves because others dont' understand or care about them.