Finding Your Circle of Strength
Who do you count on for support, whether it’s in the midst of a traumatic experience or one of joy? Life takes us on a daily journey of trials, blessings, joys, and sorrows. Knowing who to call upon to share your feelings is your key to living a life of discovery, strength, and peace.
That statement sounds well and good, but how many of us have developed a core group that we count on as our circle of strength? Women seem to be better at creating a core group of support, usually with girlfriends, because women like to share their knowledge and wisdom with their gal pals. They derive strength from sharing their hopes, passions, and dreams with other women. Girlfriends are a circle of strength.
Men, on the other hand, aren’t quite as good at creating a core group of support unless it’s their significant other. Occasionally, men have a circle going through their work. Business gives men a common bond for discussion and support, but I have found with my husband, that usually doesn’t extend past the office. He doesn’t usually talk to his colleagues about his personal feelings; he saves them for conversations with me. It seems that men share more often with a spouse or a sibling. Families are a circle of strength.
Teenagers are interesting to observe because their entire circle of strength comes from their peers. During puberty, so many changes are occurring, and the most obvious change is that friends are all going through it, too! Teenagers form their own circles of strength.
Children form their circles of strength almost completely with their family. Mom, Dad, and siblings are the core strength for a child. It seems no matter what their family circumstances, children still look to their family for that security.
Others find strength in specific groups when they are forced to deal with a terrible disease, an addiction, or the loss of a loved one. Often, those who are experiencing something similar provide more care because they really connect with each other—they understand. Support groups are a circle of strength.
The knowledge that you have a circle of people to give you strength throughout your journey is priceless.
Who forms your circle of strength?
