European Culture

**Einzelnachhilfe** In jeder Nachhilfestunde erhalten meine Schüler 60 Minuten lang meine ungeteilte Aufmerksamkeit. Dank meiner Einzelnachhilfe verbessern meine Schüler ihre Noten. Ich komme zu Ihnen nach Hause, wenn Sie in Zone A oder B (innerhalb des Rings) wohnen. **Erste Nachhilfestunde** Ich werde mit Ihnen (den Eltern) per Videokonferenz (10–15 Sekunden) sprechen, um Sie kennenzulernen und die Bedürfnisse und Motivationen Ihres Kindes zu verstehen. *Das Kind muss mindestens 11 Jahre alt sein.*

Salut les amis, Nous vous invitons pour notre prochaine discussion **le mercredi à 19h00**, au Dussmann KulturCafé, au 2e étage de Dussmann das KulturKaufhaus Berlin, Friedrichstraße 90, 10117 Berlin. Nous espérons voir de nombreux nouveaux visages et avoir une discussion animée et inspirante ! 😊 ✨ **Au programme ?** Des échanges captivants sur des sujets de **philosophie** et de **société** qui nous intriguent et nous passionnent. Une belle occasion de partager nos idées, découvrir d’autres points de vue et apprendre ensemble dans une ambiance conviviale. 🇫🇷 **Niveau de français** : Idéalement, il vous permet de participer à une discussion intellectuelle sans trop de difficultés ! 📍 **Lieu** : Wittenbergpl. 3a, 10789 Berlin, Germany. À bientôt, Yaroslava

**Quizfans aufgepasst! Wir besuchen gemeinsam die Quiz Night bei Cafe Lutetia am 14.01. um 18:30. Das Quiz selbst beginnt vorraussichtlich erst um 19:00, das gibt uns eine halbe Stunde zum Ankommen, und uns in Teams aufzuteilen. Für unser Meetup sind zwei Teams mit jeweils maximal 6 Personen reserviert. Damit wir also nicht den Rahmen sprengen, oder einen Tisch umsonst belegen, ist es sehr wichtig, dass ihr euch vorab anmeldet (und ggf. wieder abmeldet, wenn ihr doch nicht könnt). Es wird 4 Fragerunden geben und das Quiz geht bis 22:30/23:00. Und egal, wie wir insgesamt abschneiden, für das Meetup Team mit den meisten richtigen Fragen gibt es einen Preis ;)** Mehr Infos findet ihr hier: [https://altstadt-spandau.de/events/lutetia-quiz-night/ ](https://altstadt-spandau.de/events/lutetia-quiz-night/) Wenn du neu in der Gruppe bist, lies dir bitte unsere Haupt-Gruppenseite durch. Danke! Wir möchten eine Gemeinschaft gründen, in der Menschen sich treffen, austauschen und gemeinsam neue Erfahrungen machen. Unser Ziel ist es, eine offene und fröhliche Atmosphäre zu schaffen, in der neue Bekanntschaften entstehen und interessante Gespräche geführt werden können. Bist du neu in Spandau und hast noch nicht richtig Anschluss gefunden? Lebst du schon länger in Spandau und möchtest nicht immer nach Mitte fahren, um Neues zu erleben? Wenn du Lust hast, Teil dieser Gemeinschaft zu werden und gemeinsam schöne Momente zu erleben, bist du herzlich eingeladen, dich uns anzuschließen! Wir freuen uns auf dich! :) \-\-\- **EN** \-\-\- **Sorry guys, this quiz will be in German only. Feel free to check out our other events, which are all English-Speaker friendly :)** If you are new in this group, please read our main group page. Thank you! We want to create a community where people can meet, exchange ideas and share new experiences. Our aim is to create an open and friendly atmosphere where you can find new friends and have interesting conversations. Are you new to Spandau and haven't really found your place yet? Have you been living in Spandau for a while and don't always want to travel to Mitte to experience something new? If you would like to become part of this community and experience some great moments together, you are welcome to join us! We are happy to see you soon! :)

**An evening where confidence grows, stories shine, and voices find their power.** We’re kicking off a new chapter. 📍 **New Location:** **Potsdamer Platz, The Center, Berlin – Historic Imperial Breakfast Hall** The Center is a space that celebrates **community, creativity, and transformation**, and we’re proud to be hosting our events in this inspiring new location at the heart of Berlin. **🕢 Time:** Doors open at 7:15 PM Meeting starts promptly at 7:30 PM *** **[What to Expect:](https://mercurytoastmasters.de/find-toastmasters-meetings-in-berlin/)** ✨ A supportive space to speak, grow, and connect 🎤 Prepared speeches, impromptu challenges, and real feedback 🌍 A multicultural community of friendly, experienced members 👥 Around 25-30 attendees each week *** **🤙 [Hear it from our members:](https://maps.app.goo.gl/eRtvR9DRNqU9WZQn7)** *“You can sharpen your public speaking skills and gain tons of confidence, while having fun and making new friends. Mercury is well-structured, fun, and affordable.”* — *Therese Pitt* *“Mercury gave me a safe place to speak, create, and grow. I love the multicultural vibe and supportive community. It’s the best place to learn and have fun.”* — *Krisztina Linka* *** **[Did You Know?](https://mercurytoastmasters.de/about-mercury-toastmasters-berlin/)** Toastmasters is where people go to get better at speaking—and grow into confident communicators and leaders. Today [Toastmasters ](https://mercurytoastmasters.de/about-mercury-toastmasters-berlin/)has 350,000+ members across 16,000 clubs in 143 countries. And [Mercury ](https://mercurytoastmasters.de/find-toastmasters-meetings-in-berlin/)is one of the best places to experience it. So bring your curiosity, your energy—and just be yourself. Whether you’re just starting or ready to level up, there’s a place for you here. *** **[See you Wednesday night!](https://mercurytoastmasters.de/find-toastmasters-meetings-in-berlin/)**[ 🎉](https://mercurytoastmasters.de/find-toastmasters-meetings-in-berlin/)

Du möchtest Russisch lernen, stellst aber fest, dass dir die Sprachpraxis fehlt? Hast du bereits Russischkurse besucht und möchtest deine Sprachkenntnisse auffrischen und auf einem guten Niveau halten? Dann ist unser Sprachklub genau das Richtige für dich! Das kommende Treffen des Sprachklubs steht im Zeichen eines außergewöhnlichen Feiertags, der in Russland in der Nacht vom 13. auf den 14. Januar gefeiert wird: dem Alten Neuen Jahr. Dieses Ereignis gilt als kulturelle Besonderheit und bewahrt bis heute eine traditionsreiche Verbindung zwischen Kalendergeschichte und festlicher Atmosphäre. Für die Gäste entsteht eine Gelegenheit, das festliche Gefühl der vergangenen Wochen noch etwas länger zu genießen. Darüber hinaus eröffnet sich ein Einblick in russische Bräuche, die diesen zusätzlichen Jahreswechsel prägen. In einer inspirierenden und stimmungsvollen Umgebung ergibt sich zudem die Möglichkeit, die Beschäftigung mit der Sprache fortzusetzen und den Jahresbeginn um eine kulturelle Facette zu bereichern.

Welcome to an intimate and powerful breathwork experience inspired by Holotropic principles. We create a safe, grounded and transformative environment for emotional release, clarity and deep inner connection. This circle is limited to **4 participants** to ensure personal guidance, emotional safety and comfort. *** ## **Session Structure** **1\. Welcome & Introduction \(30 min\)** * What Holotropic-inspired breathwork is * How the session works * Safety guidelines and recommendations for a free, supportive experience **2\. Active Breathwork Journey \(90 min\)** A deep breathing experience guided by a carefully curated musical sequence designed to support inner exploration. During this phase, participants may experience: * Body sensations, shaking, warmth, spontaneous movements * Emotional release (crying, laughter, sighs) * Images, memories, visions or states of expanded awareness **3\. Integration Circle \(60 min\)** A voluntary space to share and express your experience Suggestions for emotional and somatic integration Compassionate support, presence and grounding **Total duration: \~3 hours** *** ## **What to Bring** Please bring the following for comfort and immersion: * **Comfortable clothing** * **Eye mask** * **Water bottle** * **Blanket** * **Pillow / cushion** * **Yoga mat** (We have a few extra items if needed.) *** ## **Contraindications** Not recommended for people with: Cardiovascular conditions, epilepsy, pregnancy, recent major surgeries, or severe psychiatric diagnoses. If you’re unsure, feel free to message us. *** ## **Who We Are** We are **Paula & Javi**, certified breathwork facilitators and founders of **Holostar33**. To learn more about us and hear testimonials from other customers, follow us on Instagram: @holostar33 We are new in Berlin and building a conscious community centered around breathwork, embodiment and healing. We look forward to breathing with you. **Holostar33 – Transformational Breathwork & Community**

**Hello every boardgame enjoyer!** We'll continue our weekly boardgame evenings every Wednesday in Drehmoment (Glasgower Str. 29, 13349 Berlin) from 19:00. You are all invited to join us! You can expect a lot of fun light games suitable for the location. We have a small library of games you are free to use (but you are also encouraged to bring your own). The games are fast so feel free to join any time! Gamers of all experience levels are welcome. Drehmoment is a classic Berlin bar, they offer varius drinks and have the best coctails in Wedding. We are allowed to bring your own food and they have snacks for sale. A couple of ground rules that we take seriously: 1. We are guests at Drehmoment, please treat their staff with respect. 2. There is no entry fee but please support the bar by buying drinks or snacks while you are playing. 3. Be efficient in your seating and kind to other patrons. See you on Wednesday

Hey there! 👋 Are you passionate about exploring different cultures and connecting with people from all over the world? 🌎✈️ Join our vibrant international community where curious minds come together for some amazing cultural exchange! Our meetups are perfect for anyone who wants to dive into diverse perspectives, have authentic conversations, and build genuine friendships with people from around the globe. 🌍🤝 Whether you're looking to broaden your horizons, practice a new language naturally, or just love meeting people from different walks of life, you'll find like-minded individuals ready to share and learn together. Get ready for interactive sessions where cultural discovery takes center stage! 🎭 Connect with fellow cultural explorers in a welcoming environment that celebrates diversity, fosters understanding, and creates authentic connections. 🎉 We host events across multiple platforms with 30-50 regular participants, and during our peak meetups, we often grow to 60+ people! 🙌 Come join the fun! 👉 **Guidelines for an enriching experience:** * 🍺🥤 Please order a drink upon arrival to support the venue (Required) * 🧹 Show respect for venue staff and maintain cleanliness * 🤝 Embrace courtesy and mutual respect * 🌍 Our focus is on meaningful cultural exchange and understanding - we're here to learn from each other's perspectives and experiences Please note: Venue staff and organizers reserve the right to exclude participants who don't follow these guidelines. We're committed to maintaining a positive environment where everyone can enjoy meaningful connections and cultural exchange opportunities. 🔹🔸🔹🔸🔹🔸🔹🔸🔹🔸🔹🔸🔹🔸🔹🔸🔹🔸🔹🔸🔹 It’s not mandatory, but we are kindly asking for a warm donation of 1€ or more to help cover the cost of posting on meetup.com. If you enjoy the event atmosphere, we’d really appreciate your support🤗 [https://www.paypal.me/harinezumi928](https://www.paypal.me/harinezumi928) If there's a fee for the transfer, you're also welcome to give the donation in cash directly to the organizer on the day:)

Unser internationales Sprachcafé richtet sich an Alt- und Neu-Berliner\*innen, Reisende und Anwohner\*innen - alle sind willkommen! Bei heißem Tee und Kaffee und frischen Waffeln könnt ihr mit Menschen aus aller Welt ins Gespräch kommen. Um das Eis zu brechen, haben wir verschiedene Spieleinheiten vorbereitet - wie zum Beispiel ein Kennlern-Bingo, Impro-Theater-Übungen und ein kleines Berlin-Quiz. Selbstverständlich ist die Teilnahme an den Spielen freiwillig und ihr könnt euch gerne einfach gemütlich unterhalten. Wir möchten vor allem Sprachstudierende ermutigen teilzunehmen, und Berlin in diesem Rahmen aus verschiedenen Perspektiven kennenzulernen, persönliche Kontakte zu knüpfen und in das kulturelle Kiezleben der Stadt einzutauchen. Teilnahme auf Spendenbasis

### The Question of Freedom: What Does It Mean to Be Truly Free? Freedom is one of humanity’s most powerful and contested ideas. We celebrate it, fight for it, fear it, and sometimes misunderstand it. But what does freedom really mean? Is it the absence of limits, the ability to choose, or the courage to live in alignment with who we truly are? From ancient philosophy to modern society, freedom has taken many forms. For the Stoics, freedom meant inner independence — mastering one’s reactions rather than the world. For political thinkers like Rousseau or Mill, freedom was tied to rights, responsibility, and social structures. Existentialists such as Sartre pushed the idea further, claiming that we are “condemned to be free,” burdened with responsibility for our choices whether we want it or not. Spiritual traditions often point inward, suggesting that true freedom arises not from control, but from letting go. In everyday life, freedom feels paradoxical. We desire autonomy, yet we are shaped by culture, relationships, economics, technology, and expectations. More choices don’t always make us feel freer — sometimes they overwhelm us. At the same time, moments of genuine freedom often appear quietly: speaking honestly, setting boundaries, creating something meaningful, or choosing differently than before. So where does freedom actually live — in society, in choice, in mindset, or in action? In this session, we’ll explore freedom not as a slogan or ideal, but as a lived experience that unfolds between inner life and outer reality. Together, we’ll reflect on: * How have philosophers, cultures, and political systems defined freedom? * Is freedom primarily external (rights, choices) or internal (attitude, awareness)? * Can freedom exist without responsibility — or are they inseparable? * Why can too much choice feel restrictive rather than liberating? * How can we experience more freedom in daily life, even within limitations? * What does freedom mean in a world shaped by pressure, speed, and constant comparison? Join us for an open, thoughtful conversation where ideas meet personal experience — a space to question assumptions, share perspectives, and reconnect with what freedom means for *you*. 📅 **Event Details** 🗓️ Date: Saturday, 17 January 2026 ⏰ Time: 14:00 📍 Location: Hardenbergstraße 10, 10623 Berlin 📱 WhatsApp (for prep materials and directions): 👉 **[Join Group Chat](https://chat.whatsapp.com/Ba8ZAaH2Yuk6FGmD3LLO7H)**

\*\*\*NUR FÜR FRAUEN\*\*\*(للنساء فقط)\*\*\*ONLY WOMEN\*\*\* Liebe Freundinnen\*, am Sonntag, den 18. Januar 2026 findet das nächste „Kochen mit Freundinnen“ statt! Diesmal kochen wir leckere Gerichte zusammen und wollen einen schönen Nachmittag gemeinsam in unserem schönen Kitchen Hub bei Über den Tellerrand verbringen. Beginn ist um 14 Uhr. Wir freuen uns auf euch! ![🧡]() Anmeldung unter: [https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/xmvXdXggzd](https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/xmvXdXggzd?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHsr2YjXbZRZSsflVBNKxQfmI0a-oIlm1lscsql9ClQRYAkyDTgA6r4fnpV_z_aem_x_UOhzrZZOx7TQRx59BsPQ) Wann: 18.01.2026, 14:00-17:00 Uhr Wo: Roßbachstraße 6, 10829 Berlin Kochen mit Freundinnen ist Teil des Projekts Eine Prise Menschlichkeit von Über den Tellerrand und wird gefördert aus Mitteln der Deutschen Fernsehlotterie und der Heidehof Stiftung. \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* \*\*\*ONLY FOR WOMEN\*\*\*(للنساء فقط)\*\*\*ONLY WOMEN\*\*\* Dear friends\*, the next ‘Cooking with women’ will take place on Sunday, 16th of November! This time we will cook delicious dishes together and spend a nice afternoon together at Über den Tellerrand. It starts at 2 pm. We look forward to seeing you! ![🧡]() Registration: [https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/xmvXdXggzd](https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/xmvXdXggzd?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHrQFC-VbMg2z-80labuQeZlhUcpUlSPNg6iSMvokQAs0LTH8TfffHie6UF30_aem_oEVodACN6ydhdsNH154VSg) Where: Roßbachstraße 6, 10829 Berlin When: 18th of January, 14-17:00 o’clock Women\* Cooking is part of the project Eine Prise Menschlichkeit by Über den Tellerrand and is funded by the Deutsche Fernsehlotterie and the Heidehof Foundation

Hier ist jeder willkommen, der die deutsche Sprache üben möchte (egal, ob Anfänger oder fortgeschritten)! Wir treffen uns jeden Donnerstag in Kreuzkölln - es gibt Snacks, Getränke, nette Leute und jede Woche ein neues Thema, zu dem wir uns austauschen. Everyone is welcome here, who wants to practice the German language (whether a beginner or advanced)! We meet every Thursday in Kreuzkölln - there are snacks, drinks, friendly people, and a new topic every week for us to discuss. الجميع مرحب به هنا، من يرغب في ممارسة اللغة الألمانية (سواء كان مبتدئًا أو متقدمًا)! نجتمع كل يوم الخميس في كروتسكولن - هناك وجبات خفيفة، مشروبات، أشخاص لطفاء، وموضوع جديد كل أسبوع لنتبادل النقاش حوله.

Bitte kauft in den Restaurants mindestens einen Artikel, damit wir keinen Ärger mit dem Manager bekommen. -> Location Berlin Potsdamer Platz -> The Playce -> Manifesto Markt Wir sitzen unten oft an den großen runden Tischen vor dem Restaurant Kumpir'a oder an den langen Tischen vor dem Pizza und Pasta Restaurant im Erdgeschoss. Dieses Treffen ist für: -Internationale Teilnehmer aus allen Ländern, die auf Deutsch Kontakte knüpfen wollen. -Deutsch-sprachige, die in netter Gesellschaft anderen helfen wollen, Deutsch zu sprechen, oder nur neue Kontakte knüpfen wollen.

## DNA. presents: "**OPEN LANGUAGE CAFÉ**" **“Connect & Speak”** A welcoming space for language lovers, curious minds, and coffee lovers— a Sunday gathering to practice, share, and explore languages together in a cozy and creative environment. Join us for relaxed conversation and cultural exchange. Whether you’re learning a new language, brushing up on skills, or simply enjoy talking with people from around the world, this is your circle. Come as You are. Bring Your curiosity, and Your voice — and discover inspiration in the flow of conversation with others. You’ll leave with new words, new connections, and a joyful sense of community. Open to speakers and learners of all languages and levels. A safe, friendly space where every voice is celebrated. ‍ > Join us for a peaceful, inspiring atmosphere where painting becomes a form of meditation, a moment of joy, and a way to reconnect with Yourself. ‍ #### **WHEN:** Every Sunday 11:30 am - 14:00 pm ‍ #### **WHERE:** DNA. CAFÉ & ART Karl-Marx-Platz 17 12043 Berlin ‍ #### **TICKETS:** Box Office: Free for Everyone **[> See more Info about DNA. Membership](https://www.dna-artclub.com/dna-member)** ‍ #### **INCLUDES:** * Access to our Atelier & Creative Space * Cozy café atmosphere (snacks & drinks available) ‍ #### **SIGN UP:** No sign-up needed — simply come over during opening hours and start creating. ‍ See Us Soon :) Love. DNA. ‍ *** ‍ For more insights, follow us on IG: [@nightart.club](https://www.instagram.com/nightart.club) \*Members of Dair Night Art e.V. and Subscribers of DNA. Art GbR. \*\*By entering the DNA. ART HOUSE, You agree to comply with the [Hausordnung of Dair Night Art e.V.](https://dairnight.com/hausordnung) and [Geschäftsordnung of Dair Night Art e.V.](https://dairnight.com/geschaftsordnung) Please ensure You review these documents thoroughly in advance.

Bonsoir à tous! Venez nombreux pour causer autour d'un repas ou d'un verre chez La Madeleine. On n'a que deux règles: (1) qu'on y parle exclusivement le français et (2) qu'on achète quelque chose à boire ou à manger (c'est La Madeleine qui le demande). Merci et à bientôt!

**In a time of division and isolation, come be part of the community that's rebuilding the town square, one table at a time.** In BreadBreakers, we use the common space of the dining table to have conversations where neighbors can **hear, be heard, and know one another.** If you're hungry for good discourse and deeper community, join us for a Community Dinner in Reston and help blaze the trail to a healthier, more connected society and democracy. Here’s how it works: For just two hours, multiple tables of people set aside the need to "win" and instead focus on sharing, listening, and connecting. Guided by experienced table hosts, we'll tell our stories, try to understand each other, and practice being in community with those with different views or backgrounds. **At this dinner, participants will get to choose between three different topics, including some current events.** Topics could range from the political, to the spiritual, to the philosophical, to the off-the-wall - but no matter which table you choose to sit at, you can be sure it'll be like no dinner conversation you've had before! You can also **suggest a topic** by emailing us at BreadBreakersInfo@gmail.com. Food will be provided for free. For those who wish to provide a donation to help fund BreadBreakers, you can [give here](https://pushpay.com/g/restorationrestonumc?fnd=pO6G-N7oO7FH7Mp1u-x6mA&fndv=Lock&r=No&lang=en&src=pcgl) or at the event. We'll have vegetarian and gluten-free options available. If you have any additional dietary restrictions (Celiac Disease, vegan, etc.) please let us know at BreadBreakersInfo@gmail.com so that we can implement the appropriate food handling procedures. **Join us, invite a friend, and be a part of the movement to mend our fractured society and normalize a better way of talking with one another.** BreadBreakers, an initiative by [Restoration United Methodist Church](https://restorationreston.org/breadbreakers) in Reston, VA, is a religiously inclusive community. All faiths and all stripes are welcomed. Our leadership, volunteer team, and community include people who attend Restoration and people who don't.

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“The Life of Frankenstein,”** on the birth, evolution and impact of a tale of man-made monstrosity, with Bernard Welt, an emeritus professor of arts and humanities at George Washington University who frequently lectures on Frankenstein in literature, cinema, and culture. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/nv-life-of-frankenstein](https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/nv-life-of-frankenstein) .] Guillermo del Toro’s lush and lovingly produced film adaptation of Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel *Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus* is just the latest of many iterations of the story to capture the public’s imagination. People have watched Victor Frankenstein give life to his monster in numerous films, on television, and on stage, and even perform “Putting on the Ritz” with him thanks to the comic genius of Mel Brooks. Mary Shelley did not just tell a tale. She spawned the modern genre of speculative fiction and gave rise to a myth that would crop up in debates over nature versus nurture and other matters. Even today it stokes anxieties over the potential impacts of robotics, artificial intelligence, and genetic engineering, by evoking the image of a monster turning on its progenitor. Come gain a new appreciation of Mary Shelley’s creation with the help of Dr. Bernard Welt, who has studied the relationship between nightmares and the horror genre and is the author of *Mythomania: Fantasies, Fables, and Sheer Lies in Contemporary American Popular Art.* Dr. Welt will start by telling a literary origin story almost as famous as Frankenstein itself, of how an 18-year-old Shelley started writing *Frankenstein* in 1816 while staying in a villa on Lake Geneva with two of her era’s leading poets, Lord Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley, her lover. Housebound by foul weather, the three read Gothic tales of ghosts and monsters and challenged each other to produce something even more terrifying. Mary dreamed up a story of a man who defied death by creating a living being out of scraps of deceased men harvested from graveyards and anatomy labs. The resulting novel, *Frankenstein*, published anonymously in 1818, would by that century’s end become a touchstone in philosophical discourse on the nature of humanity and in political discussions of imperialism and populism. By the 21st century, Mary Shelley (as she became) had earned a more significant place in the literary canon than Byron and her husband Shelley. We will examine how this grisly tale became a landmark of modern thought and look at the part played by numerous film adaptations from the first years of cinema to the present day. (Door: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: From a Theodor von Holst engraving in an 1831 edition of *Frankenstein* published by Colburn and Bentley of London.

**Finding Meaning in Life’s Difficulties (Free Event)** **Is there hidden value in the difficulties and hardships of life, or are these things just to try to get past as quickly as possible? If so, how can we emerge from the current world crisis we are facing as stronger, more resilient individuals and communities?** **When we look at the difficult moments of our lives, aren’t those often the times when we grew the most? So many valuable lessons in life and growth opportunities are hard-won, often coming out of these trying moments. So why are we so focused on avoiding these difficulties? From this perspective, how would we as individuals and as a society confront the inevitable struggles we will be faced with? How can we build stronger communities that ensure not only that we don’t have to face struggles alone, but that we as individuals will emerge stronger as well?** **Come join a different kind of conversation – one that welcomes every perspective in a search for the truths that unite us all – as we discuss the spiritual perspective offered by the Bahá’í Teachings on the opportunity for growth during times of struggle. Join us for a lively discussion as we reflect on the meaning of the struggles of life and explore the true nature of progress.** **“The troubles of this world pass and what we have left is what we have made of our souls.” – Bahá’í Teachings** **\*\*\* This event is free and open to all regardless of background or belief. Donations will not be accepted.**

**BreadBreakers is a community where people of all different belief systems and backgrounds can create community - and what better way to do that than reading together?** Join us as we combine the kind, curious, and welcoming atmosphere of a BreadBreakers dinner with the thought-provoking, fun format of a book club. Here's what to expect: * We'll be reading *Of Mice and Men*, by John Steinbeck. * This will be a one-meeting club, so if you've ever wanted to do a book club but couldn't commit to multiple meetings, here's your opportunity! * Snacks :) * BreadBreakers ground rules apply - we'll lead with curiosity, converse with kindness, and strive to dig beneath the surface level. * We'll be gathering in Meeting Room 1 at the Reston Regional Library. * Participants will be responsible for obtaining their own copies of the book. [Here's the Amazon link, if helpful.](https://www.amazon.com/Mice-Men-John-Steinbeck/dp/0140177396) * Our BreadBreakers table hosts will come ready with questions and facilitation skills - you come ready to discuss! **I've never attended a BreadBreakers event before - what is BreadBreakers?** BreadBreakers is a community where neighbors from all different beliefs and backgrounds can **hear, be heard, and know one another.** Most frequently, we do this through the ancient practice of breaking bread around a common dining table. But we're more than just a discussion group - we're a movement to heal our world's broken discourse and forge togetherness in a time of isolation and loneliness. **Through the sacred act of just "being" together, we're working to rebuild the town square, one table (or book club) at a time.** BreadBreakers is a religiously inclusive by Restoration United Methodist Church in Reston, VA. All faiths, beliefs, and stripes are welcomed, and our leadership and community include people who attend Restoration and people who don't.