Being Met with Love

I thought I understood what the word community meant but Open Circle came into my life and completely flipped my understanding upside down. In the communities I’ve been a part of, I’ve felt like I didn’t belong for one reason or another. I internalized this lack of belonging to feel like there was something wrong with me. I felt very alone in high school because I was on this journey of self-growth but didn’t know anyone around me sharing a similar passion.

Flash forward to my first week at McMaster, I was at clubsfest and saw a poster titled “Open Circle”. I was immediately drawn to it, but I was also intimidated because I didn’t understand what it might entail. As weeks went on, I eventually mustered up the courage to go to the Soul Searching Among the Stars planetarium event. After the show, as I sat on the grass outside answering reflection questions, it all hit me that this was exactly what I had been looking for. I had never felt this sense of belonging and community in my life. I felt like for once no matter what I said or how I showed up it would be accepted and met with love. I saw the power in a group of strangers showing up authentically and vulnerably. It's magical.

From then on, I was hooked. I started Becoming Yourself series and learned tools that will stay with me for life. Getting to go to a reflection circle each week is always the highlight of my day. The skills I learn are invaluable, the connections and deep conversations fill a void of longing, and the safety in the space is unlike anything I've experienced. There are really no words to sum up Open Circle, I just hope that everyone is lucky enough to experience having their hearts opened and fulfilled in a reflection circle.