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?

For me, my experience on 7cups was priceless. It enriched both my personal life and professional life. Listening and engaging with others helped me discover things in myself I couldn't have known otherwise. On the other hand, as a psychology student having to do an internship during the pandemic, 7 cups was a lifesaver. But once I started listening and working through the internship program, it was a lot more than I could have ever expected. It gave me a peek into the nature of my work as a psychologist and showed me areas of challenges that I need to work on. (105 words 😊)

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

7cups has enriched my life and given me a more profound sense of belonging to the human race.

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

Azalea98, she has such an uplifting spirit; interacting with her is such a pleasure.

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

That would only happen if I feel that I have nothing more to offer.

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

I wish them all serenity and inner peace.

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

A common theme that I noticed while listening on 7 cups was that no matter the gender, culture, personality, or background story the member had, their suffering and hopelessness seemed to emerge from a sense of shame, inadequacy, and a deep belief that they are not good enough. Apparently, this manifested itself differently in different people; some in depression, others in addiction, and sometimes even aggression towards others, but shame always seemed to be at the core. So, I made it my mission to attack shame whenever I saw it lurking.

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 spirit of its volunteers, and I find it amazing. The altruistic and caring community that has developed here is unmatched, and I think that is what will help 7 cups to thrive for many years to come.

@Fristo thank you for sharing!!

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

I work to support those without a shoulder to lean on or those who need an unbiased ear to vent to, but also to support other listeners and help them learn and grow to help our members.

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

7Cups has given me so many friends, both listeners and members, that I never grow tired of talking to. It has also helped open my eyes to so many different cultures and viewpoints from people all over the world.

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

@EvelyneRose! I am honored to have worked with her and to be able to call her one of my collaborators and friends.

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

Though I may not ever completely retire from 7Cups, if I were to step back it would be to focus more on my career path and eventually my own family.

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

I wish we all could recognize how lucky we are to be a part of such an amazing community! The 7Cups Community is so unique, and I cannot imagine my life without all of you incredibly special people.

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

I'm happy with all of the changes that I've made for the VL team and the verifying process, though I am by no means done making progress and coming up with new ideas for the team.

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?

I think 7Cups most needs strong and innovative leaders in all of its tracks that continue sharing ideas to keep improving the 7Cups community.

@Fristo

Q1) If you are given 100 words to describe your work at 7cups, what would you say?
Certainly one of the best choices I have ever made. I've made so many friends and met many lovely peers. Being here is and always will be rewarding, for however long I'm here. I've learnt so much, whether that be with developing skills or finding new ones I didn't know I could do! I find that some of my off-site life has been beneficial to 7Cups, in what I've learnt in my life, and also the other way around. I've taken many skills from 7Cups away, too. Being able to hear people's stories, whether L or M is so wonderful, I can't thank 7Cups enough for giving me the opportunity to help so many people. As users of 7Cups, we grow as people and as users, on and offsite. It's truly wonderful.

Q2) What is one big way 7cups has contributed to your life?
I am now able to communicate more effectively with my loved ones, as well as showing me new horizons where I could take my future decisions, and life on the whole.

Q3) If you need to name one 7cups leader or peer who made most positive impact on you, who'd you name and why?
@CheeryMango - I could not have done this without them, a wonderful person and mentor who has been with me since the beginning. I could list so many more people too, but I will refrain from posting a list of peers.

Q4) If you ever retire from cups, what would it be for?
I believe if I really had to, it may be because of work, family or mental health reasons. Though I doubt this will happen, as I keep to schedules and could adapt that schedule to any changes.

Q5) What wish do you carry in heart for all cupsers in general?
To continue growing, keep developing yourself, keep that willingness to adapt and change to fit new situations and scenarios, it could open so many doors for you. Although I don't believe you could all be any more wonderful than you are <3

Q6) What's one change/development that you want to most strongly see in cups working through your contributions?
Truly a hard question to answer, Cups is always growing in accordance to everyone's contributions across the board. I suppose I would like to see a 'Student becomes the master' type thing, in anyone. Not just my own mentees, but all of our peers. We are all learning, and in time we can be able to teach others the same, it is rewarding to do.

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?
Keeping up with feedback, for sure. I don't just mean the admins and such either, I mean all of us. by taking feedback and applying it to our lives, both on and off cups, we can grow as people. As we grow as people, within our community, 7Cups will grow with us. We can add to the support we provide, we can using our skills to better people's lives, if only by a little, that's still something. And I hope 7Cups will continue to grow, and spread. Perhaps we can find new ways of sharing 7Cups some day, more ways to spread 'awareness' of what we do.

@Fristo - Wow Fristo, this is a great initiative to get to know one another, and understand each other’s perspectives 💛 Thank you for coming up with this idea ✨

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

I am passionate about my work as an active listener here on 7Cups - I help those who would like some emotional support without judgement, a safe place to talk about both happy and unhappy times in their life ✨ I can understand that some do not have the kind of support they would like to have, and I would like to be one of the many caring friends out here, to see people feel a little better everyday! 😊 Everyone has the ability to succeed and feel better, they would just need some love, support and hope from others who care 🌻

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

My engagement with the community and learning from other resources on 7Cups helped me develop active listening skills, that’s really helpful for me in my personal life as well 🌻 I am much better in managing my emotions and dealing with my relationships as compared to before - and this is very important to me - we are living in a social world ✨ I also cannot forget some of the lovely people I have met here, and some friends I have made here 😁

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

@Fristo (you, yay!) and @bubblingBreeze14 - both of you have helped me out a lot in my listening journey, especially when I used to be quite hesitant to engage in the community, haha 😅 Both of you have your unique qualities, and I have so much more to learn from your experiences! I can’t forget many other peers whom I have met, who helped me in many different things - so I appreciate you all really ✨ I’d also need to engage more when I can, in that way I’m sure to meet many others 💛

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

If my offline commitments take up most of my time, and burn me out - I may have to retire from 7Cups. Hmm, I would probably like to keep my account, and just log in sometimes even if I don’t have much time for 7Cups. But hey, it won’t be like that anytime soon 😁

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

I wish for all of you to know always how much of a difference you make in the world, and there are people who appreciate you for that 💛 I also wish that each of us would never be alone in our struggles, to have someone by our side when we need to get back up again if we ever fall down ✨ And I also wish for all of us to remember to care for ourselves first. So many wishes! 😁

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

It’s great to see that we are trying to make this place safe for listeners and members alike, but there is still room for improvement, in terms of ensuring safety here 🌻 I’d like to help in any way I can, I’m sure that if many minds come together, we can keep making the place even safer than before 😊

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?

Safety is very important, especially since it’s an online platform for emotional support 🌻 Many listeners and members are already engaging, helping and supporting many newcomers and existing peers - so that’s going really well 💛

@Fristo

A1) On 7 Cups, I am Content Development and Marketing Program Mentor and undergoing the training to be its Mentor Leader. I also help around with projects in the Student & Career Support Community and the Positivity & Gratitude Community. In addition to this, I'm involved with writing group support discussions with the Writers' Guild and for the Listener Events Team, and recently I became an Editor and member of the Question & Answer Approval Team + a translator for the 7 Cups Hindi Project!

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

I owe a lot of the love that I carry within me to 7 Cups. Before joining this platform, I remember being described as cold, numb, emotionless, unfazed, etc. I had never known how to express and channel all the positive feelings in me out into the world, so much so that I was almost convinced that there was something wrong with who I was. 7 Cups taught me how to tackle that challenge, and since then, I’ve never stopped, and I don’t think I ever will. As early as a week ago, while I was on call with one of my best friends, I was told that I have a warm aura, that I’m the most loving person he knows, and it made me feel more accomplished than I ever have in my life. Without a doubt, I’d give a lot of the credit for it to 7 Cups. It helped me change how I was perceived by others and in a very positive way ❤️

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

Oh boy, that’s so tough xD Throughout my 7 Cups journey I’ve met and loved countless people and have been inspired by a number of them. To name one, is like asking me to pick a feather from a garb made of nothing but feathers! Everybody on here is so talented, and patient, and humble that it blows my mind every single day. But because I’ve got to name one, I’ll say it’s @OuiCherie. Cherie is hands down somebody who inspires me to be consistent in my efforts, and makes me believe in kindness ❤️ Thank you for everything Cherie, you’ll always have a special place in so many hearts, including mine.

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

It would probably be because I grew up to be the President of a country so I don’t have the time for anything xD but in all seriousness, I have no idea. It will have to be something big, life-altering, and so significant that it becomes a highlight in my everyday life to keep me from coming on here and contributing to the community.

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

Every single person who comes to 7 Cups, has in them the courage to talk about the things that scare them and make them sad, and holds the power to change their life experience. I wish a lot of healing upon every Cupser, and that they’re always on the receiving end of blessings, kindness and love.

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

I work mostly for the content development side of 7 Cups so I’d love to see my contributions making 7 Cups more easy-to-use, fun and engaging for people!

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?

7 Cups has been amazing at entertaining the diversity of traffic that comes to it. It has succeeded in making everyone feel like they belong, no matter who they are and where they’re from. If 7 Cups has to keep thriving and growing, it will need to keep up with its amazing inclusivity in my opinion!

@Fristo awesome thread! Great to get to know people better 💜 As promised, here we go... 😁🙏🏻

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

100 words? Are you kidding me? 😅 Here is 57 out 100 to describe the work here.

7Cups volunteer work is a spare time well spent and balances my life. The work that grows us by helping others grow. The work that the limit is for ourselves to set. The work place where every voice is heard and every effort matters. The roles I am doing are aligned with my passion and core values.

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

Since I joined 7 Cups, I know how to support people in my life better. And I know where to go whenever I need support.

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?

Many but to name one, @ASilentObserver

Many reasons & examples but this is one: he told me once, that people in our lives are like our 5 fingers. Even the tiny finger that may seem insignificant, matters. I bring that point of view everywhere I go now.

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

Hm… probably if life gets so much busier. But even so, 7 Cups will still be, quoted from @soulsings, a home away from home.

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

For everyone to see the many opportunities to grow here. In tough times where a job is harder to find, 7 Cups Academy certificates and LinkedIn endorsement & a letter of volunteer work can improve reliability for your soft skills in your resume. As an HR person in life, soft skills with credentials are added value when we sort applications.

For us to bring the culture we have adopted here, wherever we go. Empathy, compassion, trust, non-judgemental, high warmth, high expectations, and so on. Not just for names without faces here, but for ourselves & people we meet in life as well.

"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one..." (please continue singing if you know the song 😀)

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

More mental health advocates who voice empathy, compassion and kind point of views through digital content. It's a digital world more and more after all.

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

2, innovation and quality.

@Fristo love the post!

Q1). I would describe it as a rollercoaster. It’s bad it’s ups and downs, twists and turns but definitely has made a ride worth riding!

Q2) I have met some of my safest people on this app (staying here m, don’t worry there is no outside contact haha) but also just knowing that I am making an impact on other people is a big contribution for me. To know that I made someone’s day just a bit better always makes it worth it.

Q3) I have to do a few names sorry! I can’t choose just one. @Mango3 @amazingNutella24 @EmmaE @sia1325 @Chevy81 @AnnaTess @Azalea98 @bubblegumwings1234 and @Teagan all of these people have made the biggest positive impact on me. They all are so very kind to me and gentle, and make sure to know I am cared about. These peers are the reason I get through my hard days, my hard chats and through the transition from teen to adult. I don’t know what I’d do without them.

Q4) I don’t know if I’d ever fully retire but I might take longer breaks! I do want to be a therapist when I grow up, and I am going to college next year studying psychology.

Q5) I’m not sure, honestly. I want cruppers to know that it’s okay to reach out. It’s okay to not be okay and it’s okay to need a hand. Reaching out doesn’t make you weak. If anything, it makes you stronger. You have made it through 100% of your worst days and will never have to go through another exact bad day like it again.

Q6) One change I would like to see is having the transition from teens to adults not be so severe and fast! Even just being switched the amount of channels and new people, I have no clue how I would change it! But I do feel this could be worked on just a bit! (No offense to anyone at all)

Q7) The hard work along with kindness and overall just continuing to thrive and help members. (Sorry if that doesn’t answer the question.)

Q1) If you are given 100 words to describe your work at 7cups, what would you say? - I consistently describe my work at 7 Cups as my most humble and sincere contribution to humanity. Every role I'm involved in here either directly supports someone or helps teams that directly support others. I'm able to be of service emotionally to people all across the globe without traveling or breaking anonymity, while also being productive with tasks that still allow me to support others whether a Member or Listener 💕

Q2) What is one big way 7cups has contributed to your life? - 7 Cups has provided me a safe space to be heard through the most challenging moments of my life, and it provided me opportunities to maintain my growth once working on myself as a Member for years before becoming a Listener. Both sides of the site played a major role in me feeling motivated to keep pushing 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? - @Fristo 's consistent innovation and encouragement towards maintaining a positive community has always been the most motivating thing I've witness both on and off Cups. Through all kinds of feedback and experiences, Fristo has proved to be made for this 💕 Incredibly grateful to have them here!

Q4) If you ever retire from cups, what would it be for? - If I ever retired from Cups, it would most likely be to shift my focus on starting a family 🤗 But I'd most likely still prioritize time to make behind the scenes contributions because I just enjoy it

Q5) What wish do you carry in heart for all cupsers in general? - My favorite quote to share with others: "You may not control all of the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them" - Maya Angelou

Q6) What's one change/development that you want to most strongly see in cups working through your contributions? - I'd like to see more Listeners feel confident and supported in the commitment they made to emotionally supporting others. Although anonymous, we cannot underestimate the impact our interactions have with people in vulnerable states

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? - 7 Cups seems to have made progress annually, as long as the common goal sustenance and growth then we can all come together in fearlessly contributing to that with feedback and suggestions

@Fristo

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

It varies and it gives me an opportunity to stand up for myself. The experiences vary across the board so it's different every single conversation. But it's always an opportunity to learn.

Q2) What is one big way 7cups has contributed to your life? To add to my understanding and to help me develop a greater self care toolkit.

Q3) If you need to name one 7cups leader or peer who made most positive impact on you, who'd you name and why? No one has done that yet

Q4) If you ever retire from cups, what would it be for? "retire" is a colonised word

Q5) What wish do you carry in heart for all cupsers in general? That they leave better

Q6) What's one change/development that you want to most strongly see in cups working through your contributions? That they apply what is learned

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? I'm not sure

@Fristo

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

if i was given 100 words or less to describe my work at 7 Cups, i would say that my work is related to being an empathetic active listener who makes people feel better, no matter what situation or dilemma they are in at that particular moment in their lives.

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

as a member, 7 Cups has made a huge impact on my day to day activity, i always look forward to logging into my member account and doing exercises related to my mood and symptoms at the particular moment. as a listener, i feel a sense of accomplishment in being an active listener and trying to help people with their thoughts and emotions, it gives me a sense of accomplishment and worthiness!

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

between @Hope and everyone here at 7 Cups, @Hope is #1 and everyone else is tied for #2 place!!!

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

if i ever retire from 7 Cups as a listener, it would only be a situation where my mother is taken care of and the only person i am responsible is for is myself. i would love to go back to a field of work that i have experience in (business, marketing, accounting, computers, acting, modeling etc)

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

one wish that i carry in my heart for all cupsters in general is that they use the training from this platform and website to help people to the best of their abilities.

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

not much, every thing is going great at 7 Cups!

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?

if it ain't broke, don't fix it! if you can make something better by not changing what it already is, then go for it!!!