Evening of Connection Topics (Print the topic descriptions)
As you plan your Evening of Connection, think about what you and your group most desire in life and in connection with one another. Shared purpose and intention with fellow travelers along the journey ensures encouragement and support, celebration and success! Select from the topics below. Choose one to begin. Then, as the evening draws to a close, consider inviting another group member to select a topic and host the next Evening of Connection.
- Look Into Your Mirror: What lives deep within?
Often our deepest truths, our fears and joys, desires and passions, live down under the busyness of day-to-day life, buried from years of neglect. Every day we roam about on the surface of life, taking care of tasks, children, parents, job, house, groceries and in the process never pause to turn within and ask "What matters to me?" Come look into the mirror for a few precious moments and discover the beauty that lives within. - Release Your Imprisoned Splendor (a musical journey to self-empowerment, 5 part series)
This is a musical journey in five parts: The Search, Finding My Own Way, Inner Guidance, My Life, Strength. Each evening, participants will explore one leg of the journey through story, song, journaling questions, and discussion. The entire journey begins with the belief that life is lived now and each life is unique. While we learn from the past and gather ideas from others along the way, a life fully lived is one which celebrates the unique and vital contributions of the individual. Come find the courage to release your imprisoned splendor! - Who Are YOU - Really?
Have you considered the fact that you are the only person who will accompany you on this life journey from day to day, year to year, and birth to death? How much do you know about this permanent fixture in your life? - How Are You? And what does the question mean?
How often do you hear "Fine." in response to this standard greeting? How often do you respond "I'm okay." when you really want to say "AAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh! Get me outta here!" How often do you experience it as a fly-by-night greeting when passing an acquaintance on the sidewalk and neither of you pauses to receive the answer? Come explore at a deeper level and put meaning back into "How are you?". - Life Balance: Is your ride a bit bumpy?
How often do you utter, "I don't have time. Life is crazy! I can't handle one more thing!" Certainly you aren't alone if overwhelmed (or at least "too busy") is the norm. You also aren't alone if you want to change it, you've tried to change it, and it seems you never make any headway toward consistent, persistent change. This evening is about seeing your life as it is, choosing where you want to smooth out the ride, discerning clear and focused action steps, and becoming energized and committed to powerful change. - Whose Choices Are You Making?
Here's the real truth: Our parents taught us the best that they knew when we were growing up. So did our teachers. As adults, we are doing the same as we raise our children, carry out our job responsibilities, do service work, run the household. Have you ever stopped long enough to discern if you want to do "it" this way? Do your choices represent your personal style, talent, and desire, or rather, the way it's always been done? With opportunities expanding daily, and life as we know it ever on the move, it is more important than ever to choose with intention, let go of those activities that do not serve us, and create life experiences that feel right for us. - What Do You Really Value? Live your deepest truth!
Likely you have experienced the energy of someone passionately living from the heart of personal beliefs and values. Everything about them exudes confidence, direction, light and purpose. They seem to thrive on hard work and engage in each activity with all of their being. And you want what they have! What is their secret? One thing is certain: they know what they truly value, deep down, and choose to live from the core of those values. You can too! Take an evening to look within and explore what you truly value, what nourishes your spirit, what brings you passionately alive! - Who Lives In Your Head? Manage your inner critic!
Have you ever heard the phrase, "Change your thoughts, Change your life!"? Do you know that it's true? One statistic suggests that we think 40-60 thousand thoughts each day and the majority of them are unplanned, uncensored, and unconscious. Yet our being is soaking up every last one of them, planting them in our memory banks like seeds that will sprout when the right conditions present themselves. Unfortunately, many of these untamed thoughts are negative, self-deprecating, or supportive of all the "yuck" in our lives. You've heard them: "I'm fat. I'm not smart. I can't sing. I'm too afraid to ..." And the stream flows on. It's time to identify and disarm that inner critic. Are you ready? - SMART Goals: Let passion drive you to success!
Of course you've tried New Year's resolutions, promised yourself you'd really do "it" this time, and joined groups in support of reaching your goal. Yet, "it" eludes you. Success in achieving our goals is possible when goals align with a deep purpose for our life, are exciting, are challenging but not impossible, and specific enough to define and celebrate completion. Come create a SMART goal and begin to see your dreams come true.