“Ask and It Is Given!” is a group activity in which we share our “wish lists” and help each other make these wishes come true. Sometimes all you need to do is ask.

How it works

This activity works in a similar way to a “gifting circle”:

Participants do the following:

  • Wish List: Each participant writes down a list of wishes and shares it with the group. This can be conducted in a circle, where each participant takes a turn to present their list. Or everyone can hang their list on a wall, or write their list in a shared google doc, and then everyone takes time to read the lists of others.
  • Offer List: Each participant mentions what they can offer the group (e.g. what knowledge and skills they have that may be useful for others). This can be done in a circle or using lists on a wall or in a shared google doc.
  • Matching: In the classic style, matching happens when one participant hears or reads the wish of another participant and says he/she can help make the wish of the other person come true. Also when one participant hears or reads the offer of another participant and says he/she would be happy to receive this offer. Yet now with existing AI, the wish lists and offer lists can be supplied to an LLM (such as ChatGPT or Claude), and ask the LLM to do the matching.
  • Success Stories: Participants share how they made progress on their wish lists thanks to the collaboration they received from the group. This gives encouragement and injects excitement, showing that the format really works.

Examples

Here are some examples of the kind of wishes participants may include in their lists:

  • I wish to go on a short hike in nature
  • I wish to tone my body
  • I wish to find more clients for my business
  • I wish to find people to give me feedback on the book draft I’m writing
  • I wish to get a massage
  • I wish to have a girlfriend
  • I wish someone would practice Spanish with me once a week
  • I wish for an accountability buddy for a project deadline
  • I wish to visit the museum with one or more people instead of alone
  • I wish someone would join me for gym sessions

People have many things they can offer, more than they may realize at first. Here are some examples of the kind of offers participants may include in their lists:

  • I can share my knowledge and experience on how to enhance the body’s fitness level
  • I can share my knowledge and experience on how to create a personal website
  • I can share my knowledge and experience on how to create a successful business
  • I can offer a massage
  • I can take profile photos or short video clips for your project
  • I can teach you the basics of fixing a bike or simple home repairs
  • I can teach you about my meditation practice