Being Together in a Good Way
How to show up, speak, and listen with care.
Show up in a Good Way
Showing up in a good way starts before we speak. It begins with a small pause to notice how we're arriving, whether we're in a circle, a boardroom, a classroom, or on a screen.
You might quietly ask yourself:
• What am I bringing in with me today? (energy, stress, grief, hope) • Am I able to be present enough to listen and speak with care? • Do I need support, or a limit, to be here safely?
When we notice what we THINK, SEE, SAY, HEAR, and FEEL, we remember that we're responsible for how we carry those things into the room. We don't have to be perfect. We just make a gentle effort to arrive with honesty and respect.
Talk in a Good Way
Talking in a good way means speaking from our own experience, not on behalf of everyone else. It also means being mindful of the impact our words might have, especially if we hold power or privilege.
You might ask yourself before you speak:
• Why am I speaking right now? • Is this the right time and place for what I want to share? • Am I speaking to be helpful, honest, or kind, or just to be right?
We're responsible for what we SAY. If our words cause harm, talking in a good way can also mean being willing to listen, apologize, and make repair where it's appropriate and safe to do so.
Listen in a Good Way
Listening in a good way means staying with someone all the way through what they're sharing. It asks us to soften our urge to interrupt, fix, or defend.
You might try:
• Taking a breath before you respond. • Noticing what you FEEL in your body when you hear something hard. • Asking yourself, "What's one piece of what they're saying that I can honour, even if I disagree?"
Listening in a good way also means making room for quieter voices and noticing who hasn't spoken yet. We're responsible for how we HEAR others, and we can choose to listen for understanding instead of listening only for our turn to speak.
Think in a Good Way
Thinking in a good way doesn't mean only having "good thoughts." It means noticing our thoughts and gently checking them, especially when they're fast, harsh, or certain.
You might quietly ask:
• "Did I hear that correctly?" • "Is there another way I could SEE this situation?" • "Am I assuming the worst about this person or their intentions?"
When a thought feels especially strong or sticky, it can help to check it with someone we trust. We're responsible for how we hold our thoughts, and we can choose to be curious instead of jumping straight to judgment.
Group agreements — if it feels right
If it feels right for your group, you can offer a few simple agreements before you begin. You might say something like: "Here are a few gentle agreements to help us be together in a good way today. Take what fits, leave what doesn't."
- •Speak from 'I', your own experience, not other people's.
- •Take space, make space, notice how much you're speaking and how much you're listening.
- •We don't attack people; we name issues, impacts, and behaviours.
- •What is shared here stays here, unless we have permission to bring it out.
- •Everyone has the right to pass or stay quiet at any point.
Accessibility and making room
People's bodies, minds, and energy levels are different. We want this to be a space where more of us can show up as we are.
How you show up is your choice.
- →Camera off or on
- →Sitting, standing, stretching, moving, or lying down
- →Eyes open or closed, or just listening quietly
- →Speaking or staying silent
You always have options.
- →Pass on sharing or speaking
- →Don't have to tell a story or pray out loud to belong
- →Take a breath or a break anytime
- →Leave and come back another time
As we grow Open In a Good Way, we're committed to keeping the app simple to read, gentle on the eyes, and usable with common accessibility tools.