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blogging101, Creative Writing, Journaling, Reflections, Soul Gifts -- TellingTales, The Circle of Friends, Uncategorized, Writing 101, Writing Prompts
The lovely and intuitive Raili over at soulgifts – Telling Tales has created a new event for Sundays in May called The Circle of Friends. Raili says:
“You are invited to join me in celebrating friends and friendships in all their glorious colours, tones, shades, nuances. Since I started blogging back in August 2016, I have discovered a whole other dimension to friendships on the blogosphere. It was such an unexpected and very pleasant surprise. My personal Circle of Friends has grown to include people from all walks of life. From all over the world.
“Here’s how it will work. Every Sunday of May I will publish a CIRCLE of FRIENDS topic for the week. You are invited to interpret it in any way you like. It could be a story, a poem, a photograph, a quote, a recipe or something else that is entirely ‘different and you’ … there is no limit to how friendships are made, nurtured and rekindled. It might be about a random stranger who became a friend for just a moment. Or someone who has weathered all storms with you. It might be about non-human friendships. Post your contribution to your own blog with a link to the Circle of Friends. Every Saturday I will magically pull it all together into a post so everyone can enjoy what has been shared.”
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WEEK ONE TOPIC : a friendship mud map
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Raili’s first challenge was to create what she called a Mud Map of friends in your life. Lori Carlson over at AS THE FATES WOULD HAVE IT did a bang up job of putting her’s together. If you’re looking for a great example, please check her blog out!
As for me, after 89 days of straight challenge posts, I’m finding it hard to drum up any such beautiful creativity. So Raili, you’re gonna get the pure, adulterated version! 🙂
A Mud Map is about the links and networking of friends and support in your life. This is an exercise Raili had to do when they adopted their sons. I found it interesting thinking about it last night. But no fancy illustrations for me! Here’s how my friends “stack” up.
- Most intimate = The people who know me best of anyone in the world and have to love me anyway!
- Intimate = The friends who know me pretty intimately, are supportive, and we have each others’ backs.
- Close = Friends with whom I feel I can be open, but I don’t have enough contact to really deepen the relationship.
- Acquaintances = Folks on the fringe who people my world on an on-going basis but with whom are in and out on a regular basis.
- Others/Strangers (Friends I haven’t met yet.) = The rest of the my world.
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Most Intimate
Drollery * Kim C.
________________________________
Intimate
Cindy P. (my sis) * Amy M. * Mark M. * Linda H. *
Michelle Y. * Colleen K. * Claire H. * Fimnora W. * Sharon P.
________________________________
Close
Serge T. * Jane B. * Linda F. * Donna C. * Junie T. * Plato
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Acquaintances
Online Friends / E-Pals * Church Family * Extended Family
I have some really special online friends I just adore.
Shannon * Lori C. * Opher * Badfish * Anna *
Bridget * Tony * Raili * Catherine * Christina *
Lori S. * Ruth * Laurie * Judy * Michelle
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The Rest of the World!
________________________________
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I did find it interesting that I wasn’t quite sure which tier to include my kids on. Those relationships are so fluid they’re changing constantly! But over all I’d say I am pretty truly blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life!
So there you have it, Raili! Well, as close as my weary mind can get!!! This was an interesting exercise. We didn’t have to do this when we went through our adoption home study, but I can sure see how a caseworker would have found it helpful. Enjoyed it very much!
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Picture Credits:
Friends Triangle — madbruin.wordpress.com
Friends logo — commons.wikimedia.org
Margaret said:
Got some hard work to do here Calen. Found this post after linking into raili’s uncategorised section and your post title seemed relevant for where I am at at present.
Thanks 🙂
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calensariel said:
It sure was an interesting exercise. Had to really evaluate relationships.
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janebasilblog said:
This is perfect – it says everything it needs to. Thanks for putting me exactly where I would have put you if I had built a pyramid.
I couldn’t do this challenge, because I would have risked offending people. It’s a terrible thing to say, but I feel closer to a handful of you guys than to friends I have known for years.
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calensariel said:
Well there’s not as much at stake when the contact isn’t face-to-face. And yet there can be something so liberating about feeling free enough to say what you need to without really worrying about that online buddy’s reaction. It’s not quite the same as friends from real life. That’s just my opinion. Though there are exceptions. Fim and I have been talking twice a week for awhile now. 2-3 hours at a pop! I think we’re getting to know each other pretty darn well! LOL
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janebasilblog said:
I agree – online friends are not so judgemental – or manipulative. I know that you’ve met at least one of your online friends – was that Fim?
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calensariel said:
Actually I’ve met MANY of my online friends. Kim (from Australia, who has been over to stay with us twice), Jen (from Huntington Beach, California who has been here twice and I’ve been there twice, once I dragged Drollery along), Serge & Roberta (from Pointe-Calumet, Canada, been up to see them twice), Karen (from Boston). Sharon, Ali, & Shannon (from Easton, Pennsylvania), Gracie (from Salt Lake whom I see several times a year) and Colleen (from Las Vegas). Plus I went to a convention of TORN (TheOneRing.net) in California where I met a LOT of online friends. Oh! And Holly Tamale (Tina from Tooele, Utah). I can’t remember who else. I haven’t met Fim yet. But who knows when the opportunity might present itself. I’m in touch with all of them by phone. I probably spend the most time with Gracie who is the same age as my Stef. She fills in the daughter role for me! She only lives about 40 miles from me. 😀
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Fimnora Westcaw said:
{{{{Calen}}}} while I don’t have a map yet (I’m catching up) you know you’re right up there on my map as well! As I’ve said, just today, ‘You’re an Angel!’
That’s a heap of work to put out there right after the A to Z. (I’m catching up). But I’ll have to take a page from your way of doing it when I get myself together enough to write it and post it.
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calensariel said:
Oh heck, Fim. We’re ALL angels! I believe that. Anyone can be an angel to someone else given the right circumstances. 😀
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nonsmokingladybug said:
Thanks for the mentioning. It was me right?
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calensariel said:
Of course it was you, mon amie! 😀
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Soul Gifts said:
Calen, first: you did great!
second: I am honoured to be named in your mud map
third: I’m sorry your brain was so overtaxed
fourth: my apologies for the sleepless hours
fifth: I found it challenging too 🙂 even though I’ve done similar things many times about many different things. But never about friends!
sixth: my attempt will be posted today
I hope you have recovered by now 🙂
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calensariel said:
LOL Oh, I think I can cope. 😀 Besides, I had TWO naps today!!! Lori’s was so impressive I was jealous. 😉
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Soul Gifts said:
You have nothing to be jealous of 🙂
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rhcwilliams said:
What a lovely honor, O Lady Calen! I feel as if I should thank the Academy. 🙂 You are a True Blue Blessing in our lives. Most ‘umble thanks.
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calensariel said:
LOL! Well you can go ahead and post a comment here with your speech! 😀 You guys are so great, too!
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spiritualdragonfly said:
You did good C!!! The fact that I’m included in your mud ☺️☺️☺️
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calensariel said:
Well OF COURSE you’d be there!!! 😀
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spiritualdragonfly said:
☺️☺️☺️❤️
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loristrawn said:
I feel so privileged! Thanks, Calen.
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calensariel said:
You can’t! The privilege is all mine! Calen bows in Lori’s direction. 😉
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Opher said:
I think I would find that really hard to do without a tremendous amount of thought! I might just give it a go.
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calensariel said:
Did I mention it kept me awake half the night trying to figure out how to do it? LOL
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