Intentionally developing mutual support… (WOMEN)

by Rod Smith

I’m going to suggest and challenge readers to form more intentional small groups. Here are some guidelines to establish such a group. For women, I’d suggest the group be called “WWW” for “Women Without Walls.” This is not original, it’s a name used by ten women I know, who have been meeting for years:

1. Meet for a decided period of time – say monthly for 10 months and for two hours each time. Make it somewhat expected to attend if a person agrees to join. Begin by picking up the phone and inviting 9 or 10 women you already somewhat know. (This act makes you the facilitator!)
2. Try to create a group that is diverse with age, race, and belief. I’d suggest every group have at least two members who are from different generations in the same family.
3. Read a book together and talk about it for at least 15 minutes of the meeting. I’d suggest you begin with any of Harriet Lerner’s or Joan Anderson’s books (A Year By The Sea, An Unfinished Marriage, A Walk on the Beach).
4. Laugh a lot, eat out sometimes, call each other between meetings and never discuss someone not present (not even your husband!).

Tomorrow: A challenge to men to form “MWE” groups. (Anyone guess what that stands for?)

4 Comments to “Intentionally developing mutual support… (WOMEN)”

  1. Nancy's avatar

    Rod – I think you’re onto something. Men Without End?

  2. melanie gao's avatar

    MWE – that has got to be Men Without Egos. Am I right?

  3. Rod Smith's avatar

    Spot on Melanie! How did you guess? See my posting for tomorrow or see tomorrow’s paper…..

    Rod

  4. Patricia - Spiritual Journey Of A Lightworker's avatar

    It has been in the back of my mind for awhile to create a women’s group to do something like this. Thanks for giving me the impetus and some guidelines for starting this group. Mutual support has been my reason for wanting to do this. We all move around in life so fast and could use the support of other women. Thanks.

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