Session 10

This session felt a bit different from previous meetings right from the start.  It was the largest group so far in attendance and there was a different energy and attitude throughout the group. S2 ,who had been reluctant to participate last week, was the first to volunteer to help set up and to read.

As we wrote down our three strengths I explained that they would be asked to share at least one they felt comfortable with the group hearing about. S2 shared that she is supportive, L1 talked about her love for animals and ability to show empathy for others, H1 told us about his drawing skills and being a good bicyclist, H3 felt he was good at spelling and schoolwork, L2 mentioned his sense of humor, T feels good at sports, K was proud of her ability to cheer people up by being funny and the sound of her unique laugh, M knows how to be kind to her friends, and H2 struggled to share anything at all. She said that what she had written was too personal and she didn't know what to say. Before I could encourage her too much or ask the group to help, L1 spoke out and shared with the group that she felt H2 was friendly and told us how she has approached L.N. after the first session and told her how she noticed she was shy and asked to be friends. L1 told H2 that this helped her step out of her shell and participate more. H2 must have been pleased to hear this because she had a giant smile on her face and the rest of the group agreed that what L1 had said was definitely true of H2.

After this discussion I felt the group’s mood change a bit again, a little bit more restless than at the start and at this point I brought this up for the group to discuss amongst themselves. They brainstormed some great ideas to help keep the focus and stick to our code of conduct, specifically the part about being respectful of the feelings of others and how that may be influenced by how we participate and listen in group. We took a minute to be crazy and wild and after that started up again. We will be implementing ideas that came up during their brainstorming such as a word of the day based on how each member is feeling or a score for the day. H1 shared he felt these things could be very important in helping the group become closer and get to know one another better.

We moved on to chapter 14 and talked about the feelings associated with the thought of letting someone down and the fear of failing. Each member shared something about this:

K worries about forgetting a promise to someone and not doing well in school.

T shared a different perspective, that she isn't afraid of failing because she isn't afraid to try.

L2 worries about school and tests because he wants to get good grades.

H2 shared her strong feelings about not letting her mom down. She shared that she thinks lots of people have and that’s why her mom is so tough. H2 sharing this really touched my heart, she is so insightful and I've seen her concern and worry for others. I would say one of her many strengths is her ability to have empathy for others and try to help when she can.

H3 is not necessarily scared of failing but of the response from others if he does.

S2 isn't afraid to fail because she works hard and knows that if she continues to try she has some control over the outcome. What a positive and determined attitude!

H1 isn't too scared because he feels he has friends that will be supportive regardless.

L1 shared that she worries what her parents will think if she fails.

We talked a little bit more about what H1 had shared and the importance of being kind to yourself and surrounding yourself with people who will support you. I shared my view that maybe changing your perspective can help relieve the pressure to succeed. I gave the example of getting a lower grade in school than you had hoped, and how this could be viewed as a learning opportunity to help take away the negativity. 

I asked L1 if she thought her parents would continue to support her if she failed and she shared that yes they would and smiled at that thought.

Time had gotten away from us so we had to end rather quickly. We read the moobiki hint and the directions for the think and do activity, which was giving away the “I believe” charms. I encouraged them to write about the experience or take a picture if they would like me to send it in and return prepared to share who they gave it to and why.