Reflection: "What I heard you say is..." Empathy: "When I imagine being you, I imagine feeling..." Validation: "What you feel makes sense because..." Revealing: "What's coming up in me while listening is..." Noticing: "Something I noticed in you as you shared is..." Curiosity: "I feel curious about..."

Always follow the format as provided. You can always add social engagements before/after the Circle or on separate dates. Keep the Circles themselves a sacred time to come together and connect as intended. Either play the videos or read the script below. Rotate who reads the introduction and then have whoever is assigned to lead one of the exercises read that section first.  Videos Version: Introduction Meditation (Includes timer) Check-In Main Shares Group Request Check-Out Group Huddle (Includes timer) PDF Version: Text Version: Introduction  Welcome Everyone - We will now begin our Heart Circle. Take a moment to silence your devices and make yourself comfortable in the space.  We come together to share in community, support, and connection.  During this time it is encouraged that we all give and receive through a lens of compassion and deeper understanding.  Here, we get the honor of witnessing one another's journey as they navigate their own challenges, triumphs, and everything in between. We do this by being fully present with each woman's truth bringing acceptance and love. We will offer compassionate reflections that will mirror, validate, and empathize - refraining from changing, fixing, or judging. If we notice urges to make a suggestion or to give advice, it is our job individually to manage those urges and trust that each of these women has the wisdom to navigate their journeys exactly as needed.  During our session, here are some concepts to keep in mind: Own Your Experience: Take full responsibility for your own words, actions, and reactions. This means we will speak and share only from our own perspectives and we will refrain from sharing on behalf of someone else or making generalized statements. Speaking from a place of "I" is a great start.  Honor Self: This includes self-regulating and tending to our own needs throughout the session. Some examples of this are: opting out of sharing or reflecting, taking a break when needed, etc. Honor Other: Respect when others are tending to their own needs. Allow space if others decide to opt-out or take a break, and trust that they will ask for something if they need it.  Confidentiality: When outside of this circle, you are welcome to speak of your own experience. If you do share other details, it's expected that you omit ANY identifying information of others. When sharing, you are welcome to explicitly request confidentiality if you are sharing something that feels extra sensitive or vulnerable. Welcome Everything: We allow space for whatever feelings are true in ourselves and one another. This is especially helpful to remember if you are present to feelings that are challenging or not ideal such as anxiety, deep sadness, or frustration. Check Your Assumptions & Follow Your Curiosity: Take stock of what you might be assuming about another person or the group as you connect. See if you can tap into and express curiosity as a way to become more clear on what is reality versus a made up story. Be Fully Present: Silence any devices, stay quiet while others share, and fully take in what is being shared in words, tone of voice, themes, physicality, and energetically.  Our circle is now open. Silent Meditation (90 secs) We will now begin our silent meditation. I invite you to use this time to check in with your physical, emotional, and mental states. Take this time to transition from your day or your week into this space together. Take a moment to settle into the space and close your eyes or take a downward gaze.  Check-In (1-2 sentences/each) We will now do a brief check-in. In just a sentence or two, share what you are present to in this moment - right here, right now.  Main Shares (3 min share / 5 min reflection ea - adjust if necessary) We will now begin our main shares. During this time each woman will have time to share uninterrupted and receive reflections. During the share, listeners are encouraged to give full presence and complete silence. It is encouraged that the person sharing sticks to using ownership language, speaking about their own personal experience and actions, and refraining from generalized statements or speaking on behalf of other people or groups (present or otherwise). The focus is: What is it like to be you? or How is it for you to be in your world? When giving reflections, it is important to fully welcome the sharer's reality as true and valid. Accept them as they are without advice or suggestions (unless explicitly asked). Before you speak, check in with yourself: "Am I trying to change how they feel or what they believe?" Group Request (4 mins each) We will now begin our requests of the group. This is an opportunity to receive nourishment from the group and ask for what you need. This is a great place to round out the connection experience with movement or touch practices. Some examples are: massage, gourmet hugs, dance parties, eye contact, etc. You will each have time to request participation from the group. Anyone is free to opt out of any activity if it is not something they feel available to participate in. Check-Out (1 sentence each) As we wrap up our time together, we will do a "check out" by finishing the sentence "Something I'm leaving with is..." Group Huddle (90 secs) Lastly, we'll come together as a group huddle in silence. Use this time to imagine sending each person home with some love. Be sure to take time to imagine receiving that love from the group as well.