The Circle Is; About Life in Community
I’ve had the privilege of being included in a First-Nations-guided talking circle. Though a talking circle is led through the presence and example of an Elder, it doesn’t have the feel or structure of hierarchy. Since all have the ability to speak and to be heard, a talking circle feels like democracy in action. There’s a built-in sense of community.
Being Mennonite, the idea of community is familiar to me. Community isn’t a monochromatic experience, though. It’s interesting how sometimes community feels natural and nurturing, and other times feels imposed or even excluding. I believe that the strongest communities are those that have lots of room for diversity and even maverick perspectives. Very homogeneous communities that are based on conformity to a narrow set of norms may seem strong, but can they really be adaptable to new situations, or even truly recognize all the factors/individuals that affect/enrich their lives?
I wrote The Circle Is as a way of exploring the attitudes and expectations we bring to community, and also to express some views of what community could be at its best. The metaphor of the circle felt like a good way to hold it together thematically.
Here are the lyrics;
The Circle Is
Some enter the circle like a roundabout,
They come in only looking for a way out.
Others have it spinning like a top
They don’t go anywhere, & they never stop.
Some see the circle as a hurricane,
Where our lives get destroyed by the weather.
Some see the circle as a great big blender
Where everyone gets stirred together.
We see the circle as a safe place,
Where each can look into the eyes of another.
God knows, we’re always walking in lines,
Standing in boxes that go up and down.
Everything is organized
so we can be efficient, So we can get around.
We need a circle, we need a safe space,
Judgement suspended,
Where healing can take place.
We need a circle – we can serve each other –
A place where the juices of our souls can be replaced.
The circle is a bowl that holds
Nourishment for our souls…
…a turbine on a hill that makes the most
Of the power of the wind that blows.
Some enter the circle like a roundabout –
they come in only looking for a way out.
We need a circle, we need a safe space,
Judgement suspended, where healing can take place…
Judgement suspended, where healing
can take place.
Actually when someone doesn’t understand afterward its up to other visitors that
they will help, so here it takes place.
I couldn’t resist commenting. Very well written!
Hey! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be
okay. I’m definitely enjoying your blog and look forward to new
posts.
excellent put up, very informative. I wonder why the other experts of this sector do not realize this.
You must continue your writing. I am confident, you’ve a huge readers’ base already!
Thanks for every other excellent post. The place else could anybody get
that type of info in such an ideal approach of writing? I’ve a presentation subsequent week, and I’m at the look for such info.
Great article.
Wonderful website. Lots of useful information here. I
am sending it to some friends ans additionally sharing in delicious.
And certainly, thank you in your sweat!
Thankfulness to my father who informed me regarding this website,
this weblog is in fact remarkable.
Pingback: Homepage
Hi there, I found your site via Google at the same time as searching for a similar
subject, your web site came up, it seems to
be good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.[X-N-E-W-L-I-N-S-P-I-N-X]Hi there,
simply become aware of your blog thru Google, and located that
it is truly informative. I’m going to watch out for brussels.
I will be grateful for those who proceed this in future. Lots of folks
will likely be benefited out of your writing. Cheers!
It’s in fact very difficult in this active life to listen news on TV, therefore I just use the web for that purpose, and take
the newest news.
Right here is the perfect site for anyone who wants to find
out about this topic. You know so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I personally would want to…HaHa).
You definitely put a fresh spin on a subject which has been written about
for decades. Wonderful stuff, just wonderful!
Can I simply just say what a comfort to uncover somebody that really knows what they are discussing on the internet.
You actually realize how to bring a problem to light and make it important.
A lot more people have to look at this and understand this side of the story.
I was surprised that you’re not more popular because you certainly possess the gift.
I love what you guys are up too. https://www.reiva.us
Hey there! I’ve been reading your blog for a long time now
and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out
from New Caney Tx! Just wanted to mention keep up the good work!
Usually I do not read article on blogs, however I would like to
say that this write-up very pressured me to try and do so!
Your writing style has been surprised me. Thank you, very nice
post.
I couldn?t refrain from commenting. Exceptionally well written! http://www.osteopathie-canada.ca
I simply could not depart your website before suggesting that I actually enjoyed the usual info an individual supply
in your guests? Is gonna be back continuously to check out new posts|
I want to to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely enjoyed
every bit of it. I have you book marked to check out new
stuff you post? https://www.publissoft.com
Hi there, I think your website could be having internet
browser compatibility issues. Whenever I look at your blog in Safari,
it looks fine however when opening in IE, it has some overlapping issues.
I simply wanted to provide
you with a quick heads up! Apart from that, excellent website! https://entreprisesmst.com
I couldn?t refrain from commenting. Perfectly written! https://lovedoppler.com/en/
I am hoping to present one thing again and aid others like you
helped me. https://www.ernest.ca
Thanks for publishing this awesome article.
I’m a long time reader but I’ve never been compelled to leave a comment.
I subscribed to your blog and shared this on my Facebook.
Thanks again for a great post! https://www.christianwoodenart.com
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was
a amusement account it. https://www.granitelacroix.com
Every weekend i used to pay a quick visit this website, because i
wish for enjoyment, as this this website conations really pleasant funny
material too.
Wоah! І’m really enjoying tÒ»e template/theme of thgis
site. It’s simple, Ò¯et effective. A lot of times it’s challenging to get that
“perfect balance” Æ…eteen uÑ•er fï½’iendliness and
visuaⅼ ɑppeal. I must say you have d�ne a excellent job with this.
Alsⲟ, the blog loads еxtremelү fast for me on Safaгi.
OutÑ•Ö?anding Blá§?g!
I love it when individuals come together and share opinions.
Great site, keep it up!
I came across this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out much. https://lascootershop.ca
Unquestionably believe that which you stated. Your favorite reason appeared to be on the web the easiest thing to be aware
of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while people think about worries that
they just do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing without having side effect
, people can take a signal. Will probably be back to get more.
Thanks
I’m still learning from yoᥙ, but І’m trying to reach my goals.
І definitely enjoy reading everything that is writtｅn on your website.Keep the tips coming.
I loved it!
I’m very happy to discover this page. Ineed to too
thank you for ones time just for this fantastic read!
I definitely really liked every little bit off it and I havge yoou bookmarked to check
out new things in your blog.
We wish to thank you once more for the lovely ideas you gave Janet when preparing her own post-graduate research and, most importantly, regarding providing all of the ideas in one blog
post. Provided we had known of your web-site a year ago, we might have been rescued from
the pointless measures we were taking. Thanks to you.
Great site! I am loving it!! Will come back again. I am taking your feeds also
Lovely Art. May I use this idea in a piece I am writing about differences between community in a strong sense, and society?
This kind of clever work and exposure!
Keep up the excellent works guys I?ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll.| https://westislandgarageandtires.com
Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing…
We stumbled over here from a different web address and
thought I might check things out. I like what I see so now i’m following you.
Look forward to exploring your web page yet again.
Saved as a favorite, I like your blog!
I like it when folks come together and share views. Great website, continue the good work! https://www.attraitsbeaute.com
Hello! This is kind of off topic but I need some help from an established blog.
Is it tough to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast.
I’m thinking about making my own but I’m not sure where to begin.
Do you have any tips or suggestions? Many thanks
I have been surfing online more than 2 hours today, yet I never found any interesting
article like yours. It is pretty
worth enough for me. In my opinion,
if all webmasters and bloggers
made good content as you did, the net will be much more useful than ever
before. https://andreviger.com