7cups Leaders Union: Getting to Know One Another!

@Fristo

Q1) If you are given 100 words to describe your work at 7cups, what would you say? I would describe it as fulfilling and meaningful. One side of my work here is getting to work on different projects and different areas have really helped me grow as a person through gaining communication skills, learning to lead, learning how to teach, learning how to give and accept feedback, learning how to be an open-minded person. The other side is the opportunity to help others by giving them a judgment-free open window. Being able to give someone the chance to freely speak about how they feel and what they're going through and knowing they're not alone is very meaningful.

Q2) What is one big way 7cups has contributed to your life? It has opened so many doors for me by enhancing my communication skills with work, conversations with friends and families, applying for jobs, listening to coworkers’ concerns and knowing how to respond, etc.

Q3) If you need to name one 7cups leader or peer who made the most positive impact on you, who'd you name and why? One leader from the past who isn’t here anymore has been one of the most motivating, supportive, and impactful leader and person in my 7 cups journey. She has helped me grow so much in my own leadership skills, listened to my concerns, and helped me come to conclusions with things I faced in my role, helped me learn self-care, taught me how to be proactive, and reminded me often that people are just people and that is enough.

Q4) If you ever retire from cups, what would it be for? For spending so many years on the site. I don’t plan to leave any time soon, but one day I know I will move on when I feel I have fulfilled my journey here.

Q5) What wish do you carry in heart for all cupsers in general? Remember we are all making a difference here in the community and with ourselves. The efforts we put in for our projects, the members we support, the efforts we put into ourselves all matters and it is all-important.

Q6) What's one change/development that you want to most strongly see in cups working through your contributions? I would love to see this site be able to get to a place where we don’t have others taking the site and others for granted. A lot of us don’t have an opportunity to receive support in our outside lives for various reasons and it’s a real gift to be able to have something like this exist.

Q7) If 7cups is to keep thriving for the years and years to come, what is one most important factor which would ensure 7cups sustenance and growth? Strong community leaders/admin, listeners staying motivated, interested, and supported. Members feel supported, safe, and given resources.

@Fristo

Q1) If you are given 100 words to describe your work at 7cups, what would you say?

My work on 7cups kinda mirrors my life a bit-tweek it a bit lol. I am leading Mindfulness team and I love everything about it. Team is awesome-community is what makes the area alive. In my life I teach my clients mindfulness skills to cope with many things in a daily life. Mostly for end stages of life. I practice what I preach. I also mentor listeners. In life I try to pull a young teen under my wing and show them compassion love, being a listener for them when they need it, guide them to things in life that are important as well as whats their interests. My work on 7cups is a relaxed thing I enjoy doing.

Q2) What is one big way 7cups has contributed to your life?

7cups has helped me to become the strong independent person I am. When I came onsite many moons ago-I was messed up and was a troll myself with many accounts. But as I met nice patient kind people I could confide in-I learned to find me. Now a days I enjoy my CML of a team and my AL1 testing with Jenna, mentoring other listeners is my favorite of all tho. 7cups has shown me I have 2 strong feet to keep going forward.

Q3) If you need to name one 7cups leader or peer who made most positive impact on you, who'd you name and why?

The person who made the most impact on me was an admin but now left site. They always told me the truth. Pulled me aside when I needed a talking to. Was not so much in the consequence stage and taking things from me. You do not fully learn from that. They were there when I needed to talk whenever that was. They had humor and were real about life in general. But mostly they always told the truth.

Q4) If you ever retire from cups, what would it be for?

If I ever retire from 7sippers it would be due to admin taking away my CML for Mindfulness. Or combining mindfulness. As many oldies know I built up my baby(community). Mostly the forums. I'd miss my awesome-small-unique-devoted-team. When I work on this team I feel a purpose on cups.

Q5) What wish do you carry in heart for all cupsers in general?

hmm wish for all cupsers...................

I wish for everyone who joins either member or listener-leader or admin to gain what you need to personally, be thankful then turn things around and help the community gain what you did.

Q6) What's one change/development that you want to most strongly see in cups working through your contributions?

hmm not sure on this yet

Q7) If 7cups is to keep thriving for the years and years to come, what is one most important factor which would ensure 7cups sustenance and growth?

Be honest. Admin unite with the leaders and community. Admin take part and know all the subcommunities

Q1) If you are given 100 words to describe your work at 7cups, what would you say?

I'd use 10 words maybe hehe. I look to bring community together in a learning and growth environment.

Q2) What is one big way 7cups has contributed to your life?

It gave my mind a good direction to engage itself with.

Q3) If you need to name one 7cups leader or peer who made most positive impact on you, who'd you name and why?

I'd name @asilentobserver , they have been very supportive, patient, insightful, far-sighted and encouraging.

Q4) If you ever retire from cups, what would it be for?

I am not sure, but it would be for a cause similar to that of 7cups, which is of spreading kindness in the world.

Q5) What wish do you carry in heart for all cupsers in general?

Live your best potential, on and off cups.

Q6) What's one change/development that you want to most strongly see in cups working through your contributions?

I'd love to see mentors growing in size and quality.

Q7) If 7cups is to keep thriving for the years and years to come, what is one most important factor which would ensure 7cups sustenance and growth?

Seeing and encouraging the best in one another, is the key factor.

Q1) If you are given 100 words to describe your work at 7 Cups, what would you say?

It brings me immense joy to be able to help others and grow along with everyone else. We share our ups and downs with each other and that is gratifying.

Q2) What is one big way 7 Cups has contributed to your life?

It has definitely contributed to me being a better listener for those I interact with in real life. And it has contributed to my patience.

Q3) If you need to name one 7 Cups leader or peer who made most positive impact on you, who'd you name and why?

@SparkyGizmo - no energy like theirs. It's unreal how every time anyone walks into a room and Gizmo makes their day with their kinds words, and such warmth. Even the grace they have when dealing with problems or supporting others that requires going out of your way - it's inspiring.

Q4) If you ever retire from cups, what would it be for?

Oh! It would take a lot for me to retire from 7 Cups. After all, you don't ever want to leave your safe haven.

Q5) What wish do you carry in heart for all Cupsers in general?

I wish that you all realize how loved you are by this community. It may not seem like it some day but you are valued very much!

Q6) What's one change/development that you want to most strongly see in cups working through your contributions?

Safety. This is a safe place and that's always an ongoing battle (cons of the internet!).

Q7) If 7 Cups is to keep thriving for the years and years to come, what is one most important factor which would ensure 7 Cups sustenance and growth?

Continued compassion and empathy. Even encourage and lifting others.

Q1) If you are given 100 words to describe your work at 7cups, what would you say?

A1) I've had many roles on 7 Cups. I've worked a lot with the LGBTQ+ community and the mindfulness community. I've enjoyed working with long-term members and I've felt privileged to see members grow and develop over extended periods of time. I've mostly focused on one-on-one chats, but I've also done a lot in moderating chat rooms, especially the LGBTQ+ chat rooms. I've been a mentor and helped other new active listeners get started. I have really enjoyed working with new active listeners and helping show them how to best help members.

Q2) What is one big way 7cups has contributed to your life?

A2) 7 Cups helped me find my calling in life. After only a short time as a new active listener, I decided that I wanted to do this full time. I would work a job I didn't like for 8 hours each day and then go home to listen to members on 7 Cups. there wasn't anything else I wanted to do. So, this led me to go to graduate school, get my master's degree, and become a mental health therapist.

Q3) If you need to name one 7cups leader or peer who made the most positive impact on you, who'd you name and why?

A3) Amelia Winsby. She was my mentor when I was first getting started as an active listener. She was also was the head of the internship program when I was an intern, and I then became an internship mentor and worked with Amelia in the internship program. She taught me a lot about what being a good active listener is all about.

Q4) If you ever retire from cups, what would it be for?

A4) I've slowly phased out my involvement in 7 Cups due to having other things going on in my life. The only reason I'm still here is I am still working with a couple of long-term members and I want to see them through until they are ready to move on. Once I'm done with these long-term members, I probably won't be around much more after that.

Q5) What wish do you carry in heart for all cupsers in general?

I wish for all cupsers to find their true selves and develop a love for who they are.

Q6) What's one change/development that you want to most strongly see in cups working through your contributions?

A6) I would like to see the quality of active listeners be improved. I would like for there to be more required training to become an active listener. This would go a long way to improving active listener quality. I would like to see more quality mentors who can work with new active listeners as well since this would help to improve active listener quality.

Q7) If 7cups is to keep thriving for years and years to come, what is one most important factor which would ensure 7cups sustenance and growth?

A7) 7 Cups is going to have to be more open to change. 7 Cups is going to have to do a lot to improve the quality of active listeners, and it will have to do more to prevent trolls from abusing members. I've briefly mentioned above some things that 7 Cups can do to improve the training for active listeners. I believe 7 Cups also needs to require that active listeners give their real identity to the administrators of 7 Cups so that abusive active listeners can be held accountable. Active listeners can still be anonymous to members, but I don't think active listeners should be anonymous to 7 Cups. Being an active listener is a big responsibility as it means working with vulnerable people coming to this site for help. This is not a role that should be given to people who are unknown to 7 Cups.

@Fristo

thank you so much for this incredible post and all these amazing, thoughtful questions! <3

Q1) If you are given 100 words to describe your work at 7cups, what would you say?

as i'm reaching my one year here at 7 cups, there has been so many amazing things that i could talk about! i think one of the most significant parts of my work at 7 cups is providing support if i could tie it to one thing. i have worked super closely with listeners, members and other leaders over this past year to make sure that every single person i encounter feels nothing but utmost support and care. as a member or even as a listener, knowing that you have someone to rely on and is there for you is such an important thing, so being able to offer that support to as many people as possible is my priority!

Q2) What is one big way 7cups has contributed to your life?

7 cups has made a huge difference in my ability to listen to any situation in real life! ever since i first joined, i learned so much about active listening skills and how to apply them. as i've grown as a listener on cups and improved my ability to listen, i've been able to take all of those skills and use them in my real life. whether that be family, friends, or even acquaintances, i have learnt to really give everyone a chance since you never know what someone may be going through behind the scenes and how i can best support them.

Q3) If you need to name one 7cups leader or peer who made most positive impact on you, who'd you name and why?

there have been so many people who have made positive impacts on me and made my journey as amazing as it has been so far! to name one that comes to my mind, @tazzie helped me through an extremely tough situation i encountered early in the year. i was just starting off in one of my roles and was having a big problem and wasn't sure how to go about it, but tazzie helped me through the entire thing and it resolved really quickly after that!

to name another couple people, @mel and @mistymagic helped guide me through some of my first big roles as i was starting out! the support i received from both of them when beginning my journey on the listener chatroom team is something that i will never forget. both of them gave me so much confidence and support in my role and helped me get to where i am now! i don't think i'd be close to the listener i am today with the roles that i love so much if it weren't especially for mel and many other incredible listeners.

Q4) If you ever retire from cups, what would it be for?

i don't plan on leaving cups anytime soon since it's a community i've grown such an ever-growing love for, but if it comes to a time where i do have to leave, it would have to be a very good reason. however i'm hoping that day doesn't come, especially any time soon :p

Q5) What wish do you carry in heart for all cupsers in general?

for all cupsers in general, i wish that everyone knows how much they are appreciated for being here and how much support there is offered for them! no matter who you are or what place you're in, on 7 cups, there are always so so many people who would be more than happy to support everyone here no matter what.

Q6) What's one change/development that you want to most strongly see in cups working through your contributions?

i'd love to see the support in subcommunities increase and grow! although the subcommunities are such a wonderful place already, i think expanding our forum team and making sure every post gets a supportive reply would be incredible to see and that is one of the main things i continue to contribute to.

Q7) If 7cups is to keep thriving for the years and years to come, what is one most important factor which would ensure 7cups sustenance and growth?

going back to my first response, one most important factor which would ensure 7 cups sustenance and growth would be support! i think no matter what, if there are listeners and leaders to offer support to other listeners and members, the site can continue to thrive and improve as everyone works together and 7 cups is made a safe place for everyone.

@Fristo

@Fristo Thanks a lot for the tag! As always, I love how thoughtful your questions are 💜 And I thoroughly enjoyed reading what the other amazing leaders had to say!

Q1) If you are given 100 words to describe your work at 7cups, what would you say?

Oh, I wouldn't need a hundred, haha. My journey has been simple. I looked at this amazing community and learnt from it. My work is nothing but my gratitude towards this amazing community of listeners, members, and leaders 💜

Q2) What is one big way 7cups has contributed to your life?

I think 7Cups has taught me a lot of patience. I'm a patient person in real life too, but it really helped me hone my patience. And now it's like a blessing in my everyday life and in my work too!

Q3) If you need to name one 7cups leader or peer who made the most positive impact on you, who'd you name and why?

I can end up writing a whole thesis paper here, haha. It's the entire community that's been a life-changer for me here. But there are some people I appreciate a lot and words can't express how much I respect them for sticking with me through my journey. @MistyMagic was always there to take all my queries while I was learning in my roles, I can never thank Misty enough for that. @Mel and @ASilentObserver have been with me through every little step I've taken as a leader. And I can never appreciate these amazing people enough 💜

Q4) If you ever retire from cups, what would it be for?

Well, I can't ever predict what the future has in stock for me. There's always a time we need to move on and move forward, that's what I believe in 💜

Q5) What wish do you carry in heart for all cupsers in general?

Keep fighting for what you want. The fight can get pretty difficult at times, but always remember the strength you harbour and move ahead with your aspirations. You got this! 💜

Q6) What's one change/development that you want to most strongly see in cups working through your contributions?

Our community is known for being supportive of everyone and I would love to see this grow! And I really hope that my work can help this willingness to hold each other up grow 💜

Q7) If 7cups is to keep thriving for the years and years to come, what is one most important factor which would ensure 7cups sustenance and growth?

We need to hold up and keep pushing our quality upwards 💜 Quality keeps, quality holds, and quality grows 💜 It can start somewhere when we challenge ourselves and keep on improving our own ventures!

@Fristo

Q1) If you are given 100 words to describe your work at 7cups, what would you say?.....I would say that its been enjoyable working in the Healthy Living Community here at 7cups. That is my "niche" here at 7cups. And its been great meeting so many others along the way on their own individual journeys and being able to help them. It has also been a great 6 years here getting to learn so many things that have helped me in my own personal life as well. And getting to meet others and make some great friendships too. Its been such a great opportunity to be apart of and maintain so many roles here and to continue helping to support others. I'm so glad that I found this community when I did.

Q2) What is one big way 7cups has contributed to your life?.....It has certainly helped me in my personal life, helping me to overcome some difficulties and challenges. As well, its helped me a great deal with my personal and communication skills with others. Whether here at 7cups or with family and friends. And also being able to help support them in ways that I wasn't able to before.

Q3) If you need to name one 7cups leader or peer who made most positive impact on you, who'd you name and why?..... @Jenna for sure because they are so well informed and Brilliant!... and truly helped in the beginning in getting to know the community. And what to do or how to respond. Its been great to watch them in the LSR and develop my skills better over time in being a better Mentor and in the way I respond to others. Also (even though they are no longer here at the site sadly), but MusicalMagic, also had a great impact on me. And in their ability to just love and be respectful of everyone on the site. And to just always be kind as we never know what someone else is going through. Or has gone through.

Q4) If you ever retire from cups, what would it be for?.....Hmmm...Not sure. I never really thought about it lol.. I kind of figured as long as the site was here, that I would enjoy being here in some way, shape, or form. But, I suppose the answer would be for 'More time'? Like making more time for Family or other outside interest.

Q5) What wish do you carry in heart for all cupsers in general?.....I suppose it would be to get out of the site everything that you need. Everything that you came here for. There are so many support avenues here for everyone. Whether its group support, individual support/listeners/chats, or otherwise.

Q6) What's one change/development that you want to most strongly see in cups working through your contributions?.....Hmm... not completely sure how to respond to this one.. however, I do like @Jenna's answer above. ... But also to add this, that having quality listeners and Mentors is a plus. And Great training should be continued to be provided for this. Each and every Listener and Mentor here should Always be welcoming, and make everyone "feel" welcomed to be here! Especially in the chatrooms.

Q7) If 7cups is to keep thriving for the years and years to come, what is one most important factor which would ensure 7cups sustenance and growth?.....To stay and keep at heart the "Soul and founding purpose" of the site. And thats "To Help Others"... To possibly avoid all the other hoopla and technical things. Or maybe even un-needed or un-wanted changes.... To continue to commit to helping others, support others, And Listening to both Members and listener Feedback alike! And make any changes based on those responses & feedback. To ensure that everyone is continuing to get the support they need. And where they need it most.

Q1) If you are given 100 words to describe your work at 7cups, what would you say?

While being on 7 Cups, I try to remember myself, the other listeners, and the members that we have all the wisdom, the resilience and the power needed in ourselves to create good for us and the world. I try to contribute to making 7 Cups a safe place for all of us where we can feel heard, appreciated, and accepted wherever we might stand in our lives today and who we are right now. The work on 7 Cups gives me a unique opportunity to grow and help others grow above points that were thought to be our limits.

Q2) What is one big way 7cups has contributed to your life?

Learning about active listening has opened me many doors to beautiful friendships in my real life. And getting involved in the community has taught me to feel safe and stay true to myself while interacting with other people.

Q3) If you need to name one 7cups leader or peer who made most positive impact on you, who'd you name and why?

I've been on 7 Cups for four years now so there where many leaders and peers who came along with me for a certain amount of time. The listener who helped me to open up and feel safe even more while getting involved in the community lately is @SparkyGizmo. They supported me a lot with getting comfortable with my roles as a mentor, chat supporter, and lci-host. Thank you, dream-team-partner!

Q4) If you ever retire from cups, what would it be for?

It would be to share the knowledge and experience that I've gained here with people in my real life.

Q5) What wish do you carry in heart for all cupsers in general?

I wish that you find out what a wonderful person you are.

Q6) What's one change/development that you want to most strongly see in cups working through your contributions?

I want to see that every member that clicks on "connect now" gets to speak to a listener who has all the support and skills needed to listen to the member as best as possible.

Q7) If 7cups is to keep thriving for the years and years to come, what is one most important factor which would ensure 7cups sustenance and growth?

The community needs to stay open, safe, and welcoming to everyone who wants to be a part of it.