This is an exercise to help Study Circle participants focus on the Creative Word at the beginning of a session. It helps the group focus and unify, and engages the hearts for the rest of the session.

Step 1: Prepare a variety of quotations prior to the Study Circle session on separate pieces of paper. Fold the papers and put them in an envelope.

Step 2: After the Study Circle's opening music/prayers begin the activity. Pass the envelope to a participant and ask them to select a quote and read it aloud twice. The person should then, if they wish, briefly speak about why that quote "picked them" and the meaning it has for them.

Step 3: The envelope is then passed to the next person and Step 2 is repeated.

Some thoughts: We find that if we pass the envelope one at a time participants are not distracted by reading the quote that they picked. At times we just pick a quote and read it twice, meditate on it for a minute or so and then pass the envelope without discussing the meaning it has for us. Sometimes quotes that are especially personal for a person are kept. Participants have shared that they sometimes put the quotes on the dashboard of their car, display them on their refrigerator or other places as reminders. Often these quotes have been memorized and shared at a future class. This activity has also helped participants turn to their higher selves during times of tests.