Relationships

Treasures
Have people bring a personal item that is symbolic of part of their life or represents something they value to the next meeting. Each person shows the group the treasure they brought and talk about it. 

Yurt Circle
You'll need an even number of participants for this activity. Form a large circle with everyone holding hands and facing the center of the circle. Spread out so that group members are spread apart. Number off - "in" and "out." At the same time, the "ins" slowly lean in and the "outs" slowly lean out. Each participant needs to keep their feet set in place, their knees locked and their body straight as a board. Switch.

Lap Sit
Form a tight circle, shoulder to shoulder. Turn so everyone faces the back of the person in front of them. Take one step towards the center of the circle. Simultaneously sit on the kness of the person behind you.

Trust Roll
Stand in a tight circle, shoulder to shoulder, facing the center. A person stands in the center and is rolled around inside the circle by the members. >It is important that the person in the center keeps their feet together, their knees locked, their body straight as a board, their arms folded over their chests, and their eyes closed.

Unique Things
In advance, each person in the group confidentially completes the sentence "One really unique think about me is _______" or "One really unique thing that happened to me is _______." Responses are typed with a line in front of each statement. Participants will then mill around and find out who matches each statement.

Index Cards
Give people index cards. Have them write out the answers to the questions you ask (i.e. favorite food, why they came to this school/joined this organization, what they are most nervous about, the funniest thing that has happened to them, etc.). Have the participants hand in the cards, shuffle them, then have the leader read the answers while the participants try to guess who wrote them.

Working with Others
Go to this handout. People complete the form and then discuss it with those they work with most closely.

The Pride Line
Ask people to think about the following questions and as much as people are comfortable with it, have they share their responses with the group. 

The ________________ that I am most proud of is _____________.
- ...skill I learned last year...
-...time I helped someone...
-...thing I tried...
-...thing I own...
-...thing I bought most recently
-...decision I made
-...thing I did for a friend
-...thing in my entire life

Imaginative Experience
Pass out a piece of paper with the following quote written on it: "Making choices that determine the direction of our lives can be one of our most creative efforts. As in other creative activities, our imagination is as useful and as important to us as our knowledge, since opportunities do not exist for us when we cannot imagine them. If we wish to increase the selection from which to choose meaningful life goals, we need to be imaginative. The deliberate cultivation of our imagination is a positive way to search for meaningful life goals."

Ask people to think about the following statements and write down their thoughts. As much as participants are comfortable, ask them to share their thoughts.
- At this time the happiest part of my life is...
- If I could live any way I wanted, I would...
- I've always dreamed of being...
- If I had one week to live I would...
- I frequently daydream about...
- I am looking forward to...
- Five years from now I hope to be...