The group passes around a canvas bag of rocks. After passing the bag around the group is asked to describe how it would be to have to carry this bag around all the time.
Then the group passes the bag around again and are invited to pull a rock out of the bag and share a real-life burden they were carrying inside themselves.
For some people, especially those most who have faced personally losses, this group sharing can be an incredible release of pent up feelings.
When the bag is empty, pass it around again.
Finally, ask members to describe what it would feel like to carry an empty canvas bag of burdens around each day.