I am Glad to be Here

Objective
To start the session with a positive and humorous opening.

Props
Prepared flip chart.

Procedure

Immediately after your introduction, tell the group that you are glad to be there. To prove that, display your prepared flip chart with the following information on it:

“If you weren’t here this morning/this afternoon/this evening, what would you be doing that you’re glad you don’t have to do?”

Go around the room asking each participant to respond to the question. Keep the answers light and moving quickly. You may need to answer the question for yourself before asking the members of the group. For example, I’m glad to be here because if I weren’t, I’d be cleaning house, doing the laundry, mowing the lawn, etc.

Process Points
After completing the activity, conduct a discussion to include such questions as:

How often do you get to say what you are really thinking?
How do you feel when you get to say what you are really thinking?
When is it sometimes wise to censor your thoughts? (Ask for an example.)
Why is it sometimes wise to censor your thoughts?