Circle Up

I never thought that I'd be in a women's circle or that my husband would be in a men's group (although I longed for it) but this is our Tuesday night routine, now. Then, there are the professional counseling supervision and consultation groups I am involved with- and the women's trauma treatment group I am facilitating. Just call me the group lady! Gatherings like these used to make me squirm. But, today, I relish in the opportunity to come together for our personal and professional growth.

There are many benefits of groups, including:

• More affordable than individual therapy
• Relating and feeling less alone
• Practicing new ways of being 
• Learning from others' experience
• Sharing in a supportive space

These don't make the idea any less anxiety provoking for those of us with social anxiety or other aversions to groups. To me, it has been worth the risk of showing up and trying something new, riding out my own nervousness time and again, to come through it feeling more connected. When we allow our experience- breathing and letting our self-consciousness move through us- we stop it from getting in the way of living the lives we desire. We all have some old fear that gets in the way, sometimes.

Interested in local opportunities to try a group or circle? Check out:

• Holding Womanspace
• The Banyan Tree Center
• Flagpole Listings
• More Flagpole Listings
• OLLI @ UGA
• Thrive Integrated Medicine
• Healing Arts Center
• Rubber Soul
• Treehouse Kid and Craft

What other groups would you like to join or check out? Where there's an interest, there is an opportunity. Chances are, you are not the only one interested in a given topic. Groups can be grassroots- comprised of you and a couple other people. The possibilities are endless. My women's circle consists of myself and six other women who connected through word of mouth. We meet weekly at each other's houses at an agreed upon time. It costs nothing and offers so much nourishment.

Local lady, Baraka Elihu, inspired our gathering with her book, Birthing Ourselves Into Being. What would inspire you to reach out? A different book? An interest in learning a new skill or activity? Support in healing from a particular condition? I am hoping that we each find belonging, support, and understanding when we need it most. After all, we are all connected with life on this planet and no one can survive in isolation. We can always feel more connected. Groups can help!