Nourishing Our Bodies & Souls CIRCLES OF WISDOM AND LOVE

Nourishing Yourself means giving yourself what is necessary for optimal health, growth, and well- being. It means truly accepting and cherishing yourself for the capable and precious person you are. It means sensitively listening to your heart and taking good care of yourself.

OPENING EXERCISE After greeting your partner, think back over your life and share an experience that deeply nourished you—a time when you felt particularly uplifted, inspired, touched, loved, relaxed, energized, blessed or encouraged.

1.How does nurturing yourself benefit you? Give an example. 2.How does nurturing yourself benefit those around you? Give an example. BENEFITS OF NURTURING ONESELF Exchange responses with a partner:

We are meant to enjoy vibrant lives—lives rich with adventure, creativity, companionship and learning. To do this, we must nourish ourselves. When we nourish our bodies and souls, we are happier and more successful. We become better parents, friends, coworkers, and community members. We also have increased vitality for loving, serving and blessing others.

CASE STUDY Diane works with young children in a childcare setting. She has not been taking good care of herself lately. She’s been eating too much of the wrong kinds of food; she feels hurried and stressed; she no longer walks in the early mornings; and she misses her dear friend who recently married and moved to another state.

EASY, LOW-COST WAYS OF NURTURING Name simple, inexpensive ways of nourishing ourselves and those in our families, workplaces and communities. Together, let’s see how many easy, low- cost nurturing ideas we can come up with in the next few minutes.

CIRCLES OF WISDOM and LOVE The circle is one of the most basic, ancient, and universal symbols in existence. It has been used over and over again to express unity and wholeness. Our ancestors gathered in circles around the fire to tell stories, solve problems, seek the common good, and celebrate the joys of life.

HEART-to-HEART COMMUNICATION  A Circle of Wisdom and Love is a place where it’s safe to say what’s really on your mind, and know that you will be respected.  In a circle we face each other in trust and appreciation, creating a safe, sacred space where we encourage one another to listen to the “still, small voice within.”  In the circle we do not give advice; nor do we engage in dialogs.  Effective circles require great trust.

We really seldom do anybody much good excepting as we share the deepest experiences of our souls.... It is not the fashion to tell your inmost thoughts, but there are many wrong fashions, and concealment of the best in us is wrong. Frank Laubach

THE “TALKING OBJECT”  Circles of Wisdom and Love use the Native American custom of the “talking stick.”  Only the person holding the “talking stick” speaks. Everyone else remains silent, listening wholeheartedly.  Any “talking object” can be used—i.e., a flower, a sacred text, or a teddy bear.  The “talking object” helps us focus and allows quiet group members to participate equally.

THE ROLE OF SILENCE  Silence is refreshing and healing.  It helps us tune into our wisdom and power.  That’s why the “talking object,” which provides for non-interruption and moments of silence, is so important.  We recommend starting and ending a Circle of Wisdom and Love with a moment of silence.  In silence we can communicate directly, heart to heart.

CIRCLE GUIDELINES  Remember, only the person holding the “talking object” speaks.  Listen with all your heart.  Speak from your heart.  Allow and respect silence.  Be appreciative of life’s blessings and opportunities.  Keep personal information confidential.

QUESTION FOR TODAY’S CIRCLE How do I want to nurture myself, and what might the benefits be?

MANY POSSIBLE TOPICS FOR FUTURE CIRCLES  What do you see as our organization’s number one problem, and what can you commit to as part of a solution?  Tell about an important gift that you have to offer the world.  Tell about someone who has been special in your life.  Make a wish for yourself, for your community, or for the earth.

To listen a soul into disclosure and discovery is the greatest service one human being can give to another. Quaker saying

Nourishing Our Bodies & Souls