Circle of Friends - Who is in yours?
Adding to My Circle of Friends
Its funny how our Circles of Friends change over the years. I imagine it would take some doing to think back on all the people who have come and gone out of the friendship circles in our life.
A few things happened to me recently that got me thinking about how much my life has changed over the years and the people that have witnessed all the changes. I have to be honest, not many have been a part of my ever-changing world.
Friends seem to dwindle down and fall back into the acquaintances category as we travel down lifes pathway. But good news, life doesn't have to stay that way.
What happens to cause such changes? Do we have to stay in the same circles? Will my circle of friends ever grow again or will it continue to get smaller?
Copyrighted Material by Favored1. Do not copy. Photo credit byFavored1 or Amazon unless otherwise noted. This artwork is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License.
Poll: Circles in Life
Have you had many circles of friends in your lifetime?
Circles of the Past - What causes friendship changes?
Lifetime of Making Friends
I received an email the other day from a friend that I haven't heard from in about 15 years. At one time she was my closest teacher friend, but things changed after we moved. Hearing from her was wonderful and I learned about the new circles she added to her life. Her path took an entirely different direction when she had children and even more circles were added to her already crowded circle. Parenthood has to allow for others to enter into the circle in order to survive, this left us pretty much on the outside of the circle.
Times and events seem to change our circles don't they? While doing some research on the web I came across a clip of Shirley Temple Black accepting a lifetime achievement award. Something she said rang true in my life and I think it probably would be the same in most people today.
"I've been blessed to have four careers." Shirley then explained what they were: "One in films (acting), a mom, Ambassador for the United States of America, and now a grandmother." With every change came a new circle of friends and some very dear ones at that.
Image by Amazon
Circles Begin Almost Immediately in Life
Childhood Circle of Friends - When adding was fun. Adding friends that is!
Kids Making Friends
As toddlers and young children our circles of friends mainly focused on family and those in our immediate playground group. These are some of the most inspiring circles where kids are free to love one another without outside influences.
Why did this type of circle change in our lives? Maybe the better question is, "Why did we let influences change our circle?
In be-"tween" Circles - The "Where Are They Now" List
Teenage Friends
The tween and teen years are when we often form our "BFF" (best friends forever) relationships. Some really do last a lifetime, and there are those high school sweethearts that turn into lasting marriages.
However, for the most part, sadly they are finished before we ever finish high school. Let's encourage our children to make friends while they are young to help them as they encounter all types of personalities in adulthood. Learning to understand different points of views at a young stage in life will help them form more sound relationships as they grow in their adult to senior years.
Photo available on Amazon.
Career Young Adult Circle of Friends - Who is having a baby? You're moving where? But what about your job?
Young Adult Friendships
College activities encourage friendships, but as we get serious with the issues of life these circles are rather short lived. There are those who have received their MRS degrees though, so this doesn't count in the equation. Few lasting relationships have survived past college years, but those that do are very precious.
By the time you enter into a career or marriage all the past circles become broken in some way and make way for new smaller circles to emerge. I noticed how small my inner circles were getting once I was able to zero in on my teaching "niche" as a career choice. Even inside that circle there were smaller circles depending on what you taught or if you were administration.
Circle of Friends Cookbooks - Easy & Fun Recipes to Do with Children
The Circle of Friends Cookbooks came about as a result of two ladies who wanted to be stay at home moms but they needed a source of income. I guess it worked.
After 25 years they are still going strong and their circle of recipes is getting bigger with over 200 books bearing the Gooseberry Patch name.
Look for more fun recipes and ideas on their website at gooseberrypatch.com.
Who let the "Squares" in, and I don't mean Sponge Bob?
"Squares" in My Circles
Have you noticed the shape of your circle changing?
No, the world hasn't gone square, it's just you. Ouch! Didn't see that coming in my life, and I can almost guess you didn't either.
Have you noticed there are more "squares" in your circle, and you are one of them? Somewhere our cool circle changed into a shape we wouldn't admit we'd ever be a part of - "the dreaded square!" Maybe we can just say "square-ish" and it won't seem so bad.
Life just happened. It crept up during those 30 years and kept coming until we no longer recognize ourselves as the "in group"; you know that circle everyone thinks they are in when they were a youth.
You want to have lunch with an "old" friend who is in town, but can't because little Johnny has a dentist appointment. Look at you, such a kind mom scheduling it during the day so he won't miss his karate class.
Forget going to the movies tonight. The twins have a ball game and who is going to pick up Bonnie from ballet lessons? Why you of course.
The dog's in heat, the neighbor's cat took up residence on your car, the dryer froze up and the freezer is melting everything in it.
Seems we enter into some circles by necessity during those "irty" (30 plus) years. The Fox Brothers realized that the once "macho" guys had also fallen into a circle that happened all by itself. Instead of giving in to it, they took on the challenge. Does this sound familiar? Here is a line from the chorus to the song "Squares" they wrote.
"There's a whole lot more squares these days, in my circle of friends.
The park, the zoo, and the Sunday BBQ are the place we fit in."
Listen to this song called "Squares" (in my Circle of Friends) by the Fox Brothers. It will make you feel better in your short membership in the square circle.
"Squares" in my Circle of Friends. It's number 10 on the playlist. Sorry it's not a video, but you'll enjoy it anyway.
Image credit google images
Squares
Squares in My Circle of Friends - Who let them in? We did.
From the album Fox's Grocery comes the song that almost everyone can relate to in life.
Enjoy listening to this time relevant song that will bring a smile to your face as they sing about
the simple fact that we may be a little bit more "square" than we would like to admit.
Pssst. I've got a secret!
It's Hip to Be Square (sometimes) - Especially when it comes to being a good parent. So don't worry, this too shall pass!
Permission to Be Square in Your Circle
Remastered version of a classic late 80's hit, Huey Lewis and the News found out that being square can be hip.
It's all in the way you view your circle.
Accepting your "Square Circle".
Circle through the Years with Open Arms
Progressing through the years we go from very large circles of friends with lots of activities, travel and relationships to small, smaller and then smallest circles.
It's inevitable and correct that as we grow better (not older) our circles of friends change along with the size of them. Who could keep up with it anyway? From the cradle to the grave we will continually have opportunities to allow people into our circles.
A well rounded person is one that keeps adding to their circles, by having friends of all ages and walks of life. Some of my neatest friends have been five year olds! They keep me laughing and grounded so I don't think too highly of myself.
Please visit the links at the bottom of this site for more understanding of various types of circles and incorporating them into your life.
Image by Amazon
Open Arms Book of Activities
Open Your Circle
Circle of Pet Friends - Does your circle of pet friends keep growing?
A Little Golden Book: Circle of Friends Matching Game
Pets Enrich Our Circle of Friends
Do you remember the first pet you brought into your home as a child? I still can’t believe I kept a garter snake hidden in my bedroom without my mom knowing it. That changed the day I brought it to church (need I elaborate?).
Some of the best circles I’ve been blessed to be a part of are those in the pet category. Through the years these precious circles have been the most loyal and loving I’ve ever known. They have also been part of the hardest ones to let go of and have left emptiness in my heart that only they can fill.
For the past eight years I have been invited into an exclusive pet circle, that of the homeless, broken and unloved. If you have been following any of my pet circles you will see how easy it was for me to want to be a part of their circle of friends. Mind you, not everyone is welcome or wanted, but when you are it is wonderful.
Click on the photo to read about these pets. Read more about becoming a Circle of Friends to a Pet on the links provided below.
Senior Circle of Friends - My wisest and funniest friends.
Circle of Wise Friends
My work and church circles intertwine and I like that. Prayer circles are a blessing, and once I even went to a sewing circle. Making large blankets and quilts didn't catch on with me, so this wasn't a circle that became one of mine. I probably should have went a few more times, "seems" (play on words) I could have used the advice with all the sewing I've been doing lately.
The hardest circle of friends is my family. Sadly the circle has been broken for many reasons. This is a circle I never even thought would grow smaller, but it has. One by one some have left this earth causing a decrease in a once very large circle.
There is a song I sing; "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" that affects me differently than it did before when I sang it in public. As long as we're here on earth, our circles of friends (even that of our family) are going to change. My comfort comes from knowing the circle will be whole again in Heaven, but while I'm here I want to have the best circles I can.
Being in ministry, traveling and writing have given me some blessings in meeting so many people. My circle of friends now extends across continents stretching far more than I could have ever imagined. I love that when my circles should be getting smaller they are in fact growing larger.
Will the Circle Be Unbroken - I really love the first version with the circle of artists that recorded this event.
[ HiFi ] Will The Circle Be Unbroken Vol.2 Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Johnny Cash, Ricky Skaggs and others
Will the Circle Be Unbroken [Live] Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
What does your circle of friends look like?
Smaller Circles vs. No Circles - The friends chart is ready to add your name.
Something I have taught my students is the joy of friendships. If you want to have friends, you have to be one first. Start letting people into your circle of life.
You can start really small with one or two new friends, and you don't have to share your life story with them. Just befriend someone and see how it goes.
Since there isn't a shortage of people, there isn't a shortage of friends to be made.
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A Most Recorded Song
Will the Circle Be Unbroken on MP3 - This song has been recorded hundreds of times, by some wonderful artists. Here are a few of my favorites. Sorry, my version
Will the Circle Be Unbroken on MP3 - This song has been recorded hundreds of times, by some wonderful artists. Here are a few of my favorites. Sorry, my version
Will the Circle Be Unbroken with Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and over 20 leading recording artists we love.
Gaither & Friends: Will The Circle Be Unbroken (A Gospel Bluegrass Homecoming Vol 1 Album Version)
Debate: What about those so-called circles?
Is it important to keep adding to our circle of friends?
Our Circle of Love Needs to Be Nurtured.
— Fay (aka Favored1)Never Ending Circles
Circle of Love ~ "Friends and Family"
The Bible says that life is like a vapor meaning it's fleeting, short and temporary. "You don't know what will come of tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that apprears for a little time, and then vanishes away." (adapted from James 4:14)
Embrace the good in others and learn from them. Find a circle that shares your interests and get involved.
It's your circle, only you can decide the size of it.
Circle of Love Figurine
It's your circle, only you can decide the size of it. How about enlarging it right now?
— Fay (aka Favored1)Love my global circle of friends!
I'm glad you're in my "Circle of Friends."
A Lonely World without Friends?
Would life be lonely without friends? Here are a few answers that some people gave:
Yes, life would be lonely without them.
Aladdins Cave 3 years ago from Melbourne, Australia. Since the WWW invaded Earth, our circles have become smaller. It’s now more important to have LIKES and TWITTER followers. When we get WWW funerals, those 10's of thousands of follows will attend, but only then.
Response: Fay Favored 3 years ago from USA @Aladdins Cave: Weird, just weird Gus. :)
MJ Martin aka Ruby H Rose 3 years ago from Washington State. I never thought of circle of friends like this. A few of the friends are in connecting circles, great read.
Response: Fay Favored 3 years ago from USA @MJ Martin: Thanks Roby, nice to see you in my circle.
TransplantedSoul 3 years ago. Yes - friends come and go - and you change yourself.
Response: Fay Favored 3 years ago from USA. TransplantedSoul: Agreed.
Gloria Freeman 4 years ago from Alabama USA. Yes life would be sad and lonely without them..
anonymous 4 years ago I'm always open to a new friend!
Mary Norton 4 years ago from Ontario, Canada. Yes, it expands our world view.
Ardyn25 4 years ago. Very important, as you go and change in life your circle of friends usually widens as you go along, and often I've found that I have several circles of friends that aren't connected to each other. All are a blessing.
Response: Fay Favored 4 years ago from USA. Ardyn25: So true. Different parts of my life each have a set of friends. Some connect, some don't.
Poll
What do you think? Would your world be lonely without friends?
Add Some Friends to Your Circle
- Circle of Friends Animal Shelter
Events, pet adoption - Circle of Friends Society Wikipedia
increase the socialization and inclusion of a disabled person with their peers. A Circle of Friends consists of a "focus" child, for whom the group was established, six to eight classroom peers, and an adult facilitator who meet once weekly to social - Circle of Friends Woman's Ministry
Mentoring and encouraging women in leadership. - National Hug Your Cat Day (adoption)
Resources, events and links for making this a fun day for your circle of pet friends. - National Puppy Day - Adoption
Resources, videos,products and information links for caring for and adopting a puppy. - The Fox Brothers Playlist including Squares in my Circle of Friends
Scroll down the play list to hear the complete song "Squares" in my Circle of Friends. It's number 10 on the list. Sorry, no video, but it sure fits.
Thank you for your time. Hope you visit again soon!
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© 2013 Fay Favored