When there’s not enough room in the circle,
we just make a bigger circle.
Last week I visited the adorable small town known as Gnometown USA (AKA Dawson, MN). It’s been a long time since I’ve experienced a town that felt so much like a community.
After speaking to two groups on Thursday, I got up Friday morning and headed for Gnometown Grounds, the local café, bakery and gift shop. That visit was a gift straight from the heavens.
Emma, the café’s owner, was helping me pull together a collection of all-things-gnome that I wanted to buy. While we were looking at my new treasures, this cute café became a gathering place for a group of women looking for their morning coffee and conversation.
A few of them started visiting with me about the event the night before, and then one said, “Why don’t you come and have coffee with us?” Even my introvert heart knew this was a moment not to miss.
They were sitting around a large table, with chairs already spreading away from the table so they’d have enough room. As someone carried more chairs over, I said I’d just tuck mine in behind a couple other chairs. And she said, “Oh no …
When there’s not enough room in the circle,
we just make a bigger circle.
And then the women pushed their chairs back, expanding the circle even more, making it a little difficult for some to reach their coffee cups still perched on the table.
I felt like I was part of them. And I didn’t even yet know their names.
It felt like community.
This town of about 1400+ people has gatherings. Choirs. Orchestra. Events. Celebrations. They created Gnome Park with 3-foot tall gnomes that commemorate its notable citizens. They’ve added gnome statutes every year since 1989.
This community celebrates. Remembers. Notices. Invites.
Yard signs tell you that people in this town have very different political opinions. And even though it’s relatively small, this town has, I think, six churches. But you certainly didn’t see or hear those differences around the table.
I think this group of 14 women was a small representation of how Dawson, MN lives in community: the circle around the table can always be made bigger.
It feels good to be invited into someone’s circle, doesn’t it?
Besides feeling so welcomed and seen, here’s a little nugget I took home from that morning coffee klatch …
You and I – we can so easily be the person who carries the chair over to widen the circle for one more person to join us.
How can you invite someone into community today? You have a heart that cares about people. You desire to see others know that they belong. Even if you’re an introvert like me, you still want to connect with people and remind each other of the good things in life.
Creating a moment of community isn’t usually a big deal event. It’s simply adding one more chair to make the circle bigger. You can be the friend today who notices someone who might be looking for a friendly place to belong – even if it’s just for that moment.
Simply Tuesday: Small-Moment Living in a Fast-Moving World is one of my favorite books. It reminds me to reach out to community, and invite others into community. Emily P. Freeman writes this: “Finding my Tuesday people doesn’t have to involve a massive effort or an intricate, long-term plan. It also reminded me that while I’m often hesitant to reach out, my doing so is like giving a gift to others—the gift of trust, the gift of honesty, the gift of myself.”
Let’s each create a community today – with one person, or 14, or 25.
We will make a difference.
P.S. Thank you to my new Gnometown friends: Melody, Marilyn, Brenda, Sharon, Arlene, Gloria, Joy, Joyce, Fran, Janet, Betty, Denice, Emma and Carole. It was a joy to be part of your community in that special moment.
P.P.S. I think you’d love reading Emily P. Freeman’s book. Check it out on Amazon.
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