Circles of Concern

 It's interesting to me how things come around, and go around.

I last made a series of Circle of Concerns cards early in 2020 - the beginnings are here. The times feel right for more cards. I blogged on the different stages it seems both here and here.

I think it's fair to say we live in troubling times. Every time I look at the news I think about all the things there are to worry about in the world; all the places you fear for; and all the people struggling and suffering. It's big. It's a lot. And it's not hard to get overwhelmed.

I worry about climate breakdown and the intensity of the weather everywhere; I worry about refugees in countries which are under threat and living through attacks; I am horrified by the Taliban and the decisions they continue to make about what women and girls cannot do; I fear the impact of the elections result in the US; the cost of living goes up and up for folk; housing is scarce and expensive and homelessness is rising.

At times there is not a lot of cheer. Although these roses did bring me cheer this week.

And so I have to bring myself back from all of these circles of concerns - all of these things I worry about - and return to my circle of control. What is it that I can do to help ameliorate these problems? What steps can I take? What small things can I do? These are my circle/s of control and I need to focus on them and take small steps within them.

And so to the cards as a visual reminder of this.

I have begun again with a different typeface and a slightly different layout and size. I printed out a photo for reference.

After printing I draw in the squares.

These are the ones that were rejected - I didn't keep very straight liens as I traced out the square...

This is one under construction... adding circles here and there, trying for the "centre" circle to remain the same size across them all, but with variations around it.

Using my trusty circle drawing template!

A couple with both square sand circles drawn - although now I look at it, that one on the left is a bit wonky and should be added to the reject pile!

It's a slow process and I still have to draw circles on the remainder; and then add gold to the single circle, that circle we can control.

Nevertheless I also enjoyed this accidental photograph of a Christmas star with lights on it where I clearly moved well before the camera had finished doing its thing!  

Finding happiness and joy in small things and small moments.