5 Nov 2013

the circle


Since ancient times women folk have gathered in circles. A union of kin around a basket of corn to husk, a small congregation of apron clad ladies choosing their daily loaves of bread, tireless souls knitting socks and baking Anzac biscuits for their men at war across the seas. Day to day life in all its messy, glorious, mundaneness would be laid on the table and shared about with cups of tea and digested slowly over an hour or two.

A melody of stories peppered with laughter and sometimes tears would play effortlessly and the daily grind would be exposed of its trivialities. Mentors would reiterate that this time is so fleeting and advice would be gently given to those in need. All would leave feeling calmer, reassured and bolstered with new perspectives, a positive spin on a familiar problem and perhaps a recipe to try.

Although the frantic pace of this societal time has caused these circle gatherings to dwindle I feel so blessed to have found myself within one. Every few weeks I meet with a beautiful group of women as we thread needles with cotton and share our worlds over stitchery, tea and a few hours.  Our conversations don't often delve into politics or economics but mostly life's theatrics-  both comedic and tragic. And as it is a time I have to schedule into our busy world I once viewed it as terribly self indulgent. Now I have come to accept its necessity in nourishing me as a woman but mostly as a Mumma. A time of sharing wisdom, compassion and guidance; a circle of friendship.

Are you part of a women's circle? Do you gather every once in a while over coffee in the evening, or with littles underfoot to make shared meals or bread? Or perhaps a crafting circle. I'd love to hear.

Steph x

20 comments:

  1. I don't and I know that's something I need to change. I spend so much time working at home that my social gatherings have dwindled to just about nothing. Your circle sounds lovely and, yes, very necessary x

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    1. Your beautiful back deck would lend itself to a monthly evening knit along perhaps? It really is such a nourishing experience. I find life has a way of exposing these sorts of things to us when the idea has sparked...I hope you find the same. Wishing you a beautiful week :) xx

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  2. So beautiful. I do regret that this sense of community seems to have diluted over the last generation or two. I have a special woman friend and we do spend time together most weeks, one of us at work and one of us with busy hands, depending on whose house we are at. I delight in these visits. I also have a good play group and we all meet for a morning a week, the sense of relief to chat and relax almost palpable.

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  3. While I catch up with girlfriends here and there one on one, gathering in a group like this is not something I do... but I wish I did. Loads often feel lighter just after sharing, advice and ideas are shared and I think it would be very nourishing for the soul (especially as a mama to little ones) to be part of something like this. Your catch ups sound lovely x

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  4. That sounds like heaven Steph. Enjoy x

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  5. I like how these lovely pictures are all circles. I am thinking of starting up a dinner club for 2014, and this is just the inspiration I need to make sure I do it - thank you. xx

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    1. Oh that sounds wonderful! And how lovely you saw all the circles. Hope your week is a beautiful one xx

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  6. That sounds like the perfect way to spend time, with like minded lovely women to share words, time, recipes all while having tea and crafting:) Like Amanda I have friends that I spend time with individually but not in a group while doing things I love like crafting. Perhaps I need to find a craft group it is so nice and so needed I think:) xx

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  7. I do belong to a circle of friends that meet once a week to work on what we have, to chat and share our lives, its a wonderful time to spend with like minded friends, you always have such a beautifully written post, although I don't comment often please know I never ever miss a post!!!!

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    1. Thanks so much for your lovely comment Laurie! I so appreciate you taking the time to leave it. How wonderful you have a group of like minded souls. Love and light :) x

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  8. Unfortunately.not as if late and miss this so need some contacts in.the uk.

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  9. We've created a world of comparison and competition. I'm so glad to have women around me like the ones you describe, online and in real life x

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  10. Margaret Gourley6 November 2013 at 12:53

    I have been very fortunate to be part of a fantastic small circle of friends who have been meeting regularly. We started with littlies underfoot all making playdough. Now those littlies are having littlies of their own. We share something special and beautiful and it has been an amazing journey watching our littlies grow and develop through the ups and downs of life.The support we give and receive from one another is second to none. We still go to "playgroup" but now we share fine bone china cups and have uninterrupted dinners with the main topic of conversation still being our "lillities"., But those interrupted and chaotic get togethers that started over 20 years ago were so precious.

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    1. Oh Margaret this is such a beautiful and inspiring story! Thanks so much for sharing. I only hope the friendships I have made now will still be with me as my babies set off into the world. Hope your day is a lovely one :) xx

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  11. Sadly gatherings for me as usually hurried (and harried) chats over a quick coffee with kids underfoot. I hope it grows into more as small children become bigger children :)

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  12. Love this so much - i have lots of time with the women in my life but nothing like a circle. I have heard amazing things from people who craft in such a way - would love to be involved in one sometime. Beautiful xx

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  13. Friendship circles are so important – I believe that time should always be made for them! I meet my bookclub and my mother's group monthly and I cherish those meetings so much!

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  14. I love this and only wish I had such a group! Where I live now it is hard to meet like minded women, but hopefully upon moving soon I will find a group... I am literally all the way across the country from where I was raised and my only true friend is my wonderful husband!

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  15. Having moved as often as we have I find that once I find my 'circle' I enjoy the move and feel a belonging. From knitting groups to Breastfeedind Mummas I have always felt welcomed when I've turned up and been the new kid on the block.
    As the kids get older I am still enjoying my little groups but have spread my wings and this move has seen me land head first in the school, kinder and local community committee's. Sometimes I think that I am crazy and need to take a step back but I like to think that I am making a difference to all expecially in this unique posting location at the moment.

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  16. We have our Tuesday morning park group - after drop off we head to the park for coffee, chat and play
    It's so very precious and nourishing and we're all worried what we'll do when they're at school next year
    x

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Your words brighten my day! Thank-you so much for joining me on my adventure. x