“Some men draw a circle around their family, and they are the only ones they look out for, other men draw a larger circle, to include their friends and people in their area. There are a few men however, whose circle is much larger, it is the world.”
Paraphrase from a scene in the movie 10,000 BC
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I was walking through Walmart Tuesday night, caught a scene from a new release 10,000 BC. It hooked me. I mentioned it in passing as my wife and I headed for the checkout. (Just making conversation mind you) This is one of the things I love about her. she said spontaneously, “Then why don’t we get it?”
We are not big movie goers, in fact, if we sit in front of the TV more than twice a month, that would be stretching it… for us to pick up a new release is not the norm. So we set aside Friday night to check it out. I won’t spoil the story for you, but if you like intense action sequence, some violence, no sleaze, and great special effects, you’ll probably like the movie.)
At one point, a young man wrestles with his destiny. A friend of his father waxes philosophical about the “size of each man’s circle”, (the people he looks out for). Ultimately each of us has to decide on how big to draw that circle.
WOW That is a profound thought I told my wife.
There are people who profess to be your friend, but let something happen involving money, a misunderstanding or a wrong committed and you’ll discover just how deep that relationship really is .
I am thankful for the people who have drawn a circle that includes me.
Anyway, tell me about someone who has included you in their “circle” …the more details the better.
June 27, 2008 at 11:13 pm |
This past week at the horse show I met up with a friend who includes me in her circle and she is in mine. I haven’t seen her in probably ten years but I know she is there if I need her and vice versa. We don’t have to talk or make contact with each other to know the other is there, we just know.
June 28, 2008 at 12:42 am |
Sanityfound and I have drawn each other into our life circles. Funny but the connection is so strong and meant to be. We in our short time already have dealt with many tough issues together. The foundations of our friendship are built on all of the right things in my opinion. Honesty, trust, love, mutual care and respect. Plus the girl makes me laugh till it hurts. What else is there??
June 28, 2008 at 10:00 am |
I have to confess that I’m one who generally tends to draw small circles – it isn’t that I don’t like people, but it’s that I have limited emotional energy to give out, and I would rather not pledge at all than pledge and fail.
I would also add that I tend to draw concentric circles – the smallest includes those who are closest to me, which is pretty much my family. The next ring is people with whom I’ve shared a mutual commitment – friends, whether IRL or online, whom I look out for as best I can and as much as they let me.
The next ring out from that is people I deal with regularly (mostly IRL, but may include some online people) with whom I would say I share a flexible bond: like the rubber band, sometimes we chat or visit every day or so; other times, we may go for months with little contact.
The rings are not static; they tend to be fluid in that they fluctuate depending on who is around and how much energy I have. However, I don’t try to keep people inside my circles who don’t want to be there; if somebody moves on, I let go, and vice versa.
June 28, 2008 at 10:02 am |
Hm. Just looked back at your request, and I realized that I didn’t really answer the question!!
I’m never sure about whose circles I’m in or why – one of my friends at work includes me in her circle for reasons I still don’t get, but she’s one of those rare people who holds others lightly. 
June 28, 2008 at 5:06 pm |
This is my first time visiting your site. It’s amazing! You said you’re a “spiritual person”…I can relate. You also said you have a “Biblical world view”…this, too, I can relate to.
For almost three decades I spent working as a Humanitarian Aid Relief Coordinator & Educator for First Responders. Having the priviledge to enter numerous nations across four continents was, indeed, a blessing from the Lord.
Many times, folks would ask “What “religion” are you?”…always trying to fit me into a neat little box. While in Darfur (Sudan) I was asked this same question by another team (from Italy). It was here that I began answering differently. I said, “I’m not “religious”…but I do have a relationship with the Lord”. This statement opened up new avenues of friendhips that had previously been lacking. This answer no longer put me into a particular little religious box.
The Lord is so amazing in helping us develop more of His character! Thank you for being so open in your communication on your blog site. I’m new to ‘wordpress’ so have much to learn.
Blessings To You,
Michelle
http://michelle2005.wordpress.com
June 29, 2008 at 2:17 pm |
There are people who profess to be your friend, but let something happen involving money, a misunderstanding or a wrong committed and you’ll discover just how deep that relationship really is. — SO TRUE..every word, every meaning of those words…soo entirely true…!
Fantastic..think, I need to pick up that movie as well
Great Blog!
June 29, 2008 at 2:24 pm |
DM Firstly beautiful thoughts and post, just by that alone I am speechless with a smile and then to hear the words of my dear friend I am well… speechless-speechless-magnimousis.
On this path that is life I have met many but very few have found their way into my heart, people I would put my life on the line for, people I respect and in turn trust my life in their hands. Trust and love the two greatest things for me.
Amber is all that she seems to think I am and more, way more, she really is. The thing is, I honestly think she is funnier than me, I am quite serious and hardly ever laugh but she gets me rolling on the floor big time! Honesty, trust, love, mutual care, respect and lots of laughter.
There are two others that have come into my circle, Vanessa and Deeps.
Deeps, from the moment we started speaking she became my little sister and it has been that way ever since. We can’t explain it, just a knowing if you will, it has been before.
Vanessa is just nuts and in my heart, we are so similar its scary. Now we just don’t even ask “Surprised?” we just go yeah yeah you knew that already.
You my dear are the appointed elder brother as well remember!
I think I am just emotional but I am sniffing while I type this now off to go get some cookies!
Thanks for this post DM and thanks Amber for being so … you!
July 1, 2008 at 7:00 pm |
Great post! Many thoughts to ponder … been thinking a lot about friendship the past few months … sometimes, friends come and go, but the ones who matter most, stick around … they stay for the good times … they stay for the bad times … good friends are hard to find … even harder to keep, but if you have at least ONE good friend throughout life, you’re lucky! Anyway, not so much about ‘WHO’ has included me in their circle, just a little tidbit of my two-sense about friends … hope that life is treating you well … another great post!
July 2, 2008 at 12:23 pm |
I am so thankful for my friend Jen who calls or emails me at least once a week OUTSIDE of seeing each other at church. I have few friends who do that. Friendships in churches tend to take on a matter of convenience. We talk in the lobby and catch up until next time. But Jen consistently pursues me and I so appreciate her care for me.
July 10, 2008 at 1:09 pm |
DM: Thank you for this one…….BTW, what Sanityfound is saying is ABSOLUTELY true; the uncanny nature with which we are able to connect, from literally the other side of the world. This is the proof to me, that I have a very global circle, but within that, concentric ones that are degrees of closeness. I also believe that persons come and go out of the circles, ones that I had in my circle but made their own choice to leave it; there is so much here to write about…..it overwhelms me… thanks so much for your meaningful words…
July 11, 2008 at 3:17 am |
[...] the constant rain, ah bliss (hmph). This song for me pulls together two recent posts by others, Circle of My Life by DM and The Grass is Never Greener by Amber – perhaps you will see the full picture of what this [...]