Appreciative Living Learning Circles

Would you like more joy and success in your life right now?

Click here to find a Learning Circle in your area!

Learn & take action with like-minded people!
The Learning Circles were expertly designed to help you learn how to use Appreciative Living in your life right now in a way that makes sense for you.  It’s all done in a warm, supportive community of like-minded people.

Where & when are they held?
Learning Circles are primarily running in the US, with a few others in Canada, England, The Netherlands, Australia, and a few other countries. They are held in a variety of places from churches and businesses to community centers and homes. They are typically held once a week for 4 weeks, and run about one and a half hours each week.

What do you talk about?
The first week provides an overview of Appreciative Living and teaches you a powerful exercise you can use to transform difficult situations. The next three weeks explore a simple 3-step process for applying it to any part of your life to create what you most desire. Some are focused on a specific area, such as parenting, healing from MS, creating abundance, etc. But most Learning Circles are general in nature, allowing you to focus on and create whatever is important to you in your life.

Click here to watch video clips of people with Multiple Sclerosis and their caregivers who attended a Learning Circle

What materials are used?
Each person is given a Participant Guidebook with readings, discussion questions and exercises for the Learning Circle. Each person is also given one of the Appreciative Living books to help reinforce the ideas presented.

Isn’t this like putting on rose-colored glasses?
This is the biggest misconception with this work. It is NOT about ignoring or denying reality. It is about learning to see the good things that truly exist right alongside the bad. We are so culturally focused on the negative that many of us cannot literally see the positive things right in front of us. The irony is that the more you learn to see the good in yourself and your life, the more motivated and inspired you are to dive-in and work your problem areas. You actually learn to expand your view of reality, not cover it up.

Click here to find a Learning Circle in your area!

Is there homework?
Each week you are given suggested exercises to help you “retrain your brain” to create more effective thinking habits. There is also an optional buddy system to help you stay on-track.

How did these get started?
Jackie Kelm asked for a group of  volunteers to help design an introductory class on Appreciative Living that could be taught by anyone. She was hoping for about twenty volunteers, and ended up with over 70 people from across the world. The first thing they did was create a united collective vision for the Learning Circles, which was essentially about helping people create a more joyful life that would ripple out to the world. So while the Learning Circles are powerful for personal change, they also help move us all towards a more peaceful planet. Click here to read the Learning Circle Vision.

Who designed these?
Jackie Kelm did the initial design based on her work with Appreciative Living in combination with her extensive training and facilitation background. It was then reviewed and revised by more than 70 people from across the US and internationally in an extensive online collaborative process. The reviewers were from all walks of life with many being professional trainers and facilitators. After the design was finalized, it was piloted by several volunteers. The materials were improved further, resulting in the stellar program available today.

How many people are in a Learning Circle?
The size varies from just a few people, to generally not more than 10 participants.

Who facilitates the Learning Circles?
Anyone interested in Appreciative Living may facilitate a Learning Circle. The requirements are that you read the Facilitator Guidebook, one of the Appreciative Living books, and following the simple operating guidelines while facilitating. There is no training or additional experience required, so it is easy for just about anyone to facilitate.

How much do they cost?
The fee varies and is set by the facilitator, but most are very reasonably priced. Check with the facilitator in your area.

How do I start my own Learning Circle?
It’s easy and inexpensive to start a Learning Circle. Click here to learn how to start your own.

Click here to find a Learning Circle in your area!

If you still have questions, or are interested in starting your own Learning Circle, please email circles@AppreciativeLiving.com or call (800) 214-0959