It’s strange to even wonder how I got the idea and even the guts to facilitate women’s circles all those years ago - being the shy introvert that I am. I do recall that the time between doing some studies on the topic and beginning the first circle was many many months of plucking up the courage!
I had a baby at the time and had attended quite a number of Mother’s Blessingways (including my own) and I just loved the closeness of all these women together supporting one another, sharing their stories and words of wisdom and expressing their love for each other (even if we had only met at the event).
I just loved the idea that I could create something where we get to connect in this way often! Heart to heart, authentically, learning and growing together, supporting, nurturing, loving and forming deep connections (even if those connections were only met each month in circle).
I wanted to create this golden magic for as many women as wanted to join me in it!
And so, the circles began. I didn’t throw myself in the deep end, I instead decided some practice was in order, after all, I was no public speaker, I had never lead a meditation before, or anything for that matter. Who better to practice with, than my friends?
My friends and I journeyed together in circle for 5 wonderful months, meeting in a different home every new moon. There were quite a few breastfeeding little ones among us back then, my own included. Through practice and the amazing and loving support of my friends, I felt ready to “go public”.
And so I did, the first circle sticks firmly in my mind, there were about 20 of us in circle, with lots of familiar and unfamiliar faces too, I feel that we were all equally nervous! I was so impressed that all these women had turned up, some came with a friend, some came alone, some knew no one else there, I was honoured. There was all us women and one very very new born baby among us (who slept silently all evening).
The sisterhood has grown and connected in the most magnificent way, I don't think I imagined that this is what would be created from that initial idea. But WOW! thank you, thank you! There are women who have come to my circles consistently for many years, there are new faces that pop up here and there, and there are new faces who come once and then settle in for good, as if they had always been here!
I am always so grateful to hear from new attendees that they feel so welcome by us all and a part of the circle, that we don’t feel like a clique and they don’t feel like an outsider. Yes! This is definitely what I want you to experience and I am so grateful that as a group, we are open hearted and loving of all that join us.
The circles have massively changed and evolved over the years - following my own changes, my interests and growth and my confidence and of course, the needs of the women who attend. I can see in my mind’s eye the circle of women gathered in all those different spots over the years, in many people’s homes (thank you!), in the community hall, on the beach, around fires, in the bell tent and now, in my own home.
I have gone through my own ups and downs - especially in the past few years - and had found facilitating the circles at times be too difficult (and so I was hosting them far less frequently than the monthly event it once was). Perhaps sometimes I even hosted circles that weren’t as beneficial to those who attended as it could have been... I may have had some tunnel vision in my focus (or been seriously wavering in my confidence) and not been as broad and/or supportive as was needed by some in attendance. If this is something you experienced, I do apologise
Looking to 2020 and beyond. I have noticed, specifically when it comes to the women who come to Soul Sisters Circles, life seems to have gotten a lot busier for everyone than it was 5 years ago!! It can be super tricky to find dates each month that suit all the women who would like to attend. Many seem to have more commitments to work, family, friends, travel or just get a chance for an early night! There is also so much more available in this little town than there once was, with a multitude of yoga classes, music lessons, dance/circus classes, meditation groups, sound healings and so on, that ones schedule can fill up or overload very quickly!
However, despite the difficulty to schedule to suit everyone, I am intending to host Monthly circles this year!
My intention in facilitating circles this year, is to bring it back to basics. Focused on opening our hearts to ourselves and to one another. Rediscovering tools to support our unique individual journey’s through life, deeply listening to ourselves and one another, reclaiming the art of self-reflection and self-inquiry. Discovering how we can support one another within circle (and outside of, where relevant) as we navigate, hand in hand, this first year of this new decade.
I would be delighted to see many new faces in circle this year and so excited to sit down with this most amazing Sisterhood.
See you in circle
Love Nita
