by Nicole Stottlemyer

People often ask, “What happens at a CiPP Tour?”

The silly side of me wants to answer with a coy smile, “What happens at CiPP Tour stays at CiPP Tour.”

Although that would be a fun way to reply, it’s not true. What really happens at a CiPP Tour? Connection happens.

When I organize a group of CiPP students and alumni for one of our regional get-togethers, connection happens in three ways—with each other, with the material, and with ourselves.

First, people connect to each other. We all love this part. Humans are thirsty for connection. As we learned in the Certificate in Positive Psychology (CiPP) program, relationships are the number-one predictor of happiness.

The second way connection happens is through the exercises we do. When we break out into small groups and do an exercise together, we reconnect to the tools and material. It’s like a mini-immersion. Each time we revisit those tools, we come to a deeper level of understanding, and eventually the practices become natural ways of being.

Thirdly, connection happens on an individual level: We connect to ourselves. In a loving and supportive environment, it feels safe to share our truth and, in doing so, we become re-engaged, re-inspired, and reminded of who we authentically are. We reconnect to the work (and play) that support us in our process of chipping away to reveal our best self.

Specifically, here’s how connection happened at our CiPP Tour on Sunday, May 31, 2015:

With each other: Three alumni from different classes learned that they all live five minutes from one another! They are planning to meet for coffee.

With the material: We played a game with the VIA strengths that was inspired by my 6-year-old-nephew and uses Fiona Trembath’s strengths cards, and then we filled each other’s buckets. This was one of the highlights for me, as I watched each person’s face open up into a huge smile.

With ourselves: Although I can’t give a specific example here without violating confidence, what I can say is that there is a sort of magic that happens when you feel truly seen and heard. It’s as if you’ve been given a permission slip to be one hundred percent who you are, in all of your magnificence and humanness.

And that, my friends, is what happens at a CiPP Tour.

So, while I’m tempted to say, “What happens at a CiPP Tour stays at CiPP Tour,” the truth is that the connections that happen don’t stay—they move out into the world with each CiPPster and create a ripple effect that’s bigger than all of us.

If you’d like to attend, check the schedule for upcoming dates. We can’t wait to see you!

Click here to learn more about the Certificate in Positive Psychology.

Nicole

Nicole Stottlemyer is a coach, facilitator, and senior teaching assistant with Wholebeing Institute, and holds Wholebeing certificates in Positive Psychology and Positive Psychology Coaching. nicoletalks.com