A discussion group may have trouble just taking off on a certain topic. Move the discussion along by asking open-ended questions to get people talking about the subject. Open-ended questions are ones that require more than a "yes" or "no" answer. You can ask exploring questions to get dialogue going, such as "What do you think was meant by 'objectivity versus subjectivity'?" Challenge questions can get a debate going, such as "What assumptions is the author making? Do you think they're valid assumptions?" You can also ask questions about relationships, such as "What are the similarities between these two ideas? What are the differences?" Diagnostic questions can be helpful as well, such as "What do you think the author's motive was for this scene?" As a leader, it's your job to help all the members in the group have a say. Some members will be shyer than others, which means you need to create a space for them to speak. For instance, you could go around the group and have each person say what they think, so everyone has a chance to speak. To be effective as a leader, pay attention to how each member is reacting to what's being said. If you ignore how members are feeling, you could alienate some of the group. That includes paying attention to their nonverbal reactions. They may be saying a great deal with their body language. Take steps to address issues as you notice them. For instance, if one person gets consistently cut off by another member, you may notice they cross their arms and glare at the other person. Try to mediate the problem by asking what that person thinks, as well as encouraging members to let others finish their thoughts before speaking up. While heated discussions can be fine, make sure everyone stays on point. They should be discussing ideas, not diving into attacks on other people, whether they're attacking people in the group or not. It's best if you can take notes somewhere where everyone can see, such as on a projection screen or whiteboard. That way, you have something everyone can focus on and refer back to, as well as a record of what happened in the group. If you prefer, you can ask a volunteer to do the note-taking. If the group is functioning on its own, try not to interrupt the flow. If the discussion is on task and clipping along at a good speed, try not to stop the flow by interrupting the conversation.

Summary: Ask questions to initiate discussion. Encourage each member to speak. Maintain an awareness of individual emotions. Steer the group away from personal attacks. Keep track of what's being said. Get out of the way of a functioning group.

Your cat will probably feel nauseous and out of sorts for the first 18-24 hours after anesthesia. It may also be more likely to snap at people and other animals, so providing a quiet, isolated space where your cat can rest is very important. Make sure that you can still see your cat from its resting place. Block off any dangerous hiding spots or spots that you can't easily access. Keep children and other pets away from the cat. Your cat needs to rest and recover, and this is harder to do if it's constantly interrupted or bothered by others. Make sure your cat has a comfortable place to sleep. If your cat doesn't have a regular bed, try lining a box with a soft pillow or blanket. If you can, put your cat's bed in an area with tile or wood floors. Cats enjoy cooling off their abdomens by stretching out on cool, solid floors, and this may help soothe the surgical site. If possible try to keep the bed low, and prevent them from having to jump a whole lot. Cats who have had anesthesia are usually sensitive to light. Dim the lights in your cat's resting area, or turn them off. If this isn't an option, provide something like a domed bed that offers some escape from the light. In order to heal after surgery, cats should not jump, climb stairs, or exert themselves to reach necessities. Don't use regular cat litter for at least a week following surgery. It can get into the surgical incisions and cause an infection, especially in male cats. Use shredded paper or newspaper, "Yesterday's News" litter (made with shredded paper), or uncooked long-grain rice in the litter box instead. Do not allow your cat outdoors for at least two weeks after surgery. This will help the surgical site stay clean, dry, and free of infection.

Summary: Provide a quiet, comfortable space for your cat. Keep your cat comfortable. Keep the lights low. Provide a clean litter box and easily accessible food and water. Keep the cat indoors.

If you don't have children in your life regularly, you're missing out on the wonders of seeing the world through new, inquisitive and creative eyes. Children are less prone to willful blindness or inability to see injustices and problems. Just by being around children more, and really listening to them and paying attention to what they do, you can start to uncurl from your crusty shell of cynicism and let yourself become more childlike, playful and creative. Children can cut through the layers of obfuscation which adults use to excuse stupid decisions, procrastination and inaction. Children also don't mind displaying a sense of awe about the world around them, constantly delighting in new discoveries and in making amazing new connections between ideas, people and the wider world. Recognize in your time spent with children that we are born as blank slates, not for causing harm or trouble to others. Having a fixed view of human beings as cruel, mean-spirited and selfishly adhering only to what's best for each person is both unhelpful and generally untrue. How often do you ask people to recall the happy memories and what makes them happy now? People love talking about what they care about, what motivates them and what makes them happy and yet it's not always an obvious topic for general conversation. It's really important to provide the space for people to open up about their happy moments it helps them to articulate in front of an audience what matters most to them (and may thereby inspire them even further) and it will help you to see the lighter, brighter and happier side of the people in your life. There is a plethora of positive, inspiring and uplifting stories about the good that people do each day. Yet, much of this positive news gets buried under the sensational, negative coverage that news media seems to prefer. All the same, it is possible to actively choose to increase your exposure to positive news. For example, you can subscribe to news feeds online that only focus on positive stories. And you can selectively follow social media network friends and fans who deliberately choose to share good news rather than bad and who are regularly sharing inspiring things. Check out such sites as the Good News Network, Happy News, The Huffington Post Good News, or Daily Good. These sorts of sites focus on positive news stories and gather together many kind, caring and warm tales about the good things that human beings do. Whether it's the Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, the local zoo trying to conserve animals or a faith-based charity, informing yourself about their activities will remind you that people are actively involved in helping others, conserving the environment, restoring the land, caring for animal welfare and lobbying government to make changes that will improve lives and livelihoods. Browse your local bookstore or library shelves for amazing stories about people in the business world who are transforming society at the same time as running a business. Such businesses are changing the way we "do business" and see the world, including in such areas as sharing of information, making games that educate as well as bring enjoyment, selling fair trade or fairly sourced products, producing eco-friendly items and financial projects that help people to borrow for or invest in small projects that benefit many people in local communities. Social entrepreneurs focus heavily on ensuring that their business makes a positive difference in the world.
Summary: Spend time with children. Ask people to tell you about the happiest moments in their lives. Focus on the good news stories, the stories of great kindness and virtuous actions. Check out your favorite charities online and actually read what their staff and volunteers are doing.