Alert: Planned Site Outage Tonight: Tue. July 28th, 9pm-Midnight PST
my care2
make a difference
healthy & green living: more than 5,000 ways to enhance your life

customize your free newsletter

Customize your Healthy & Green Living newsletter now


Nurturing Relationships: Start a Circle Journey Book

posted by Annie B. Bond Nov 16, 1999 2:42 am
7 comments

On New Year’s Day I was sitting in front of the fire thinking about my past and future, and realized that I had a feeling of loss about my relationship with my three sisters (we didn’t have any brothers).

We’ve always been very close, but now being in our forties and fifties and scattered throughout the country with each of us leading very busy lives, my feeling of connection to them had diminished. Also, when we are together, we’ve tended to fall back into the roles we had growing up, and that doesn’t sit well anymore, nor is it satisfying for our relationships since we’ve long since outgrown the patterns.

With hopes of breaking through to a more meaningful plateau, I started a Circle Journey Book with and for my sisters that New Year’s Day, sitting in front of the fire. I wrote in the book about my feelings, and mailed it to one of my sisters (as a surprise) to contribute her feelings and then pass it on to the next. The book has been transformative and moving for us all. The Circle Journey experience enabled us to break down barriers that would have been hard to remove otherwise.

You can easily fold one or more Circle Journey Books into your life and relationships. Circle Journey Books are blank, open books ready to capture a relationship’s journey. The idea of Circle Journey is about relationships, no matter what the relationship may be, or between how many.

You can make your Circle Journey Book as simple or involved as you want. First, write the names of the people sharing your unique book with you. The books come with fun stickers and special mailing envelopes, so you can fill out appropriate stickers for your book and envelopes.

The most important part of the Circle Journey Book is to start sharing it with someone or some people you care about.

I plan to start a few more Circle Journey Books with different sorts of relationships. For example, a Circle Journey Book between a parent and child might be a treasure beyond words.

To learn more, visit Circle Journey.

More on Inspiration (558 articles available)
More from Annie B. Bond (3248 articles available)

7 comments

7 comments

add your comment »
7 comments add your comment
Julian B.

This is simply a brilliant idea; so bright in fact, that it shines like a diamond in the sun. Thank you!

Callum Laggan

I Think its such a wonderful idea I wrote this poem many moons ago as a sort of goodbye, but this idea beautiful idea of a circle journey book is a way of saying hallo I intend to follow up the idea but here is my : An Ode to a Beekeepers Farewell

Do not stand at my grave and weep as I am not there !
I do not sleep, as I am a thousands winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints of gold on snow.
I am the sun light on ripened pollen grain.
I am the gentle spring rain.
When you awaken in the morning I am the hush.
I am the tinkling beck , the beauty from the top of Fell
The quiet buzz of the circled flight of bees.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave to cry but do weep if you wish.
I am the flight of the bee, I am not there I did not die.
I have gone back to be part of Mothers Natures grand demesne
My treasure & honey was your friendship
With Love from a Beekeeper.
By David Ashton 9th February 1991

Mara F.

This a very great idea!! It will bring families closer together Thank You very much Happy New Year to everyone :)

gloria s.

I am the grandmother living on a property with two dwellings.This would be a wonderful way for our 3 generations to stay close etc.thank you.I love "bright"ideas.

Mercy Rubin

This is a wonderful way to embrace family value and appreciate every family members God blessed us as part of our lives. Thank you for this inspiring movements.
Happy New Year to you all.

Mercy Rubin

Laura M.

I did something similar one year for my Grandmother's birthday. I started almost a year ahead and wrote my treasured memories of time spent with her or at her house. Then I mapped out the route it would take so it hit all my siblings and cousins, to write theirs. She loved it and now that she's gone, it has been stored with the family Bible and other family memorabilia.

I like this idea though and will start one to cheer me up after the loss of another two family members. I think I'll include all generations- Aunts, Uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews too.
Thank you!

Liz Macdonald

what an awesome idea thank you!

Please enter your comment.
Or, log in with your
Facebook account:
1500 characters remaining

who's talking about this story?

Disclaimer: Care2.com does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on Care2.com. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or other health care provider.

400

Copyright © 2009 Care2.com, inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved