Engage the Group, Engage the Brain. Kay Colbert

      Activities in this section are targeted at increasing awareness of individual strengths. Rediscovery of existing abilities and learning new abilities reinforces the expectation that this process is cumulative and self-sustainable.

      Abilities are highly individualistic, and these activities emphasize working together to find one’s own strengths. Recovery groups provide safe and accepting opportunities for participants to explore simple skills and to reflect on where competencies are at the moment.

      Roxanna: When working with large groups, there are always a few individuals who stand out as having special talent at a particular activity. Cultivating a group atmosphere of support for one another is one area I consider to be my own strength. I believe that while some proficiencies are special talents, much of what separates one group member from another is a combination of life experiences and learned skills.

      Even acts as simple as cutting with scissors or knowing how to fold a piece of gift wrap do not come innately; they come from learning. By keeping the focus of our activities on a growth process, I don’t hesitate to reveal my own limitations. My mother encouraged my sensitivity to and appreciation for the differences of others. By showing my personal, imperfect model of what it is to be human, I nourish a greater latitude of willingness to accept one’s own limitations.

      What has been most surprising is the frequent and many ways participants reveal talents. In working on one project, it is not unusual for the participants to take advantage of art supplies or flexible time to explore something within themselves. These spontaneous inspirations stimulate others to respond in positive ways. One woman who kept an empty cigarette box of found items shared it with us, and we adopted it into the “Strength Box” activity. Unexpected moments of discovery are truly the richest part of working with our clients.