Pals, Pens, and One’s Anam Cara by Janelle Baldwin and Alan Anderson

 

An Introduction to Anam Cara

 

We, Janelle, and Alan, would like to introduce our readers and fellow writers to the value of an anam cara to share your writing with and speak into your life. You will notice we focus on our relationship in this post.

 

Anam cara is an ancient Celtic term for “soul friend.” One blog post cannot cover the gift of an anam cara, but we hope this post will encourage you.

 

Janelle’s words

I first heard the words ‘anam cara’ at the Inscribe fall conference in 2012 from the keynote speaker, Nancy Rue. The words have always resonated with me.

 

My ‘soul friend’ is someone I met initially through Inscribe. Alan and I established our connection through a shared friend in the organization via social media. She felt we had similarities that would allow us to be an avenue of support for each other. Who knew that simple introduction would lead to genuine support and encouragement, not only in writing, but in many other avenues of life as well? God did, I expect.

 

My ‘anam cara’ is someone I can ask for a critique knowing it will be honest, gentle, and encouraging—something too often missing in my circle of writer friends. We also bounce ideas back and forth and swap life stories. This is a delightful blessing I didn’t know I was seeking, but needed. The Lord has always provided what I need, when I need it, and it has been no different here. I am infinitely thankful for my anam cara.

 

Alan’s Words

What is friendship? What do we mean when we call someone a friend? How much do I care for my friends? How much do my friends care for me? These are some questions flowing through my mind as I consider the value of an anam cara.

 

An anam cara is a unique relationship to embrace and cherish. Such a friendship can teach us how genuine a relationship can be. For instance, if Janelle asks me how I am doing, I don’t respond with flippant words like, “I’m good or not bad.” I am open with her.

 

Our Anam Cara Relationship

 

We haven’t met each other in person yet, live miles away from each other, and are part of different generations. These facts do not reduce the strength of our bond. We chat on social media a few times every week. We include discussions on our writing and personal matters. This is because we care for each other.

 

An Anam Cara Blessing

 

We close this post with a blessing from poet John O’ Donohue from his classic, “Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom.”

 

“A Friendship Blessing. May you be blessed with good friends. May you learn to be a good friend to yourself. May you be able to journey to that place in your soul where there is great love, warmth, feeling, and forgiveness. May this change you. May it transfigure that which is negative, distant, or cold in you. May you be brought in to the real passion, kinship, and affinity of belonging. May you treasure your friends. May you be good to them and may you be there for them; may they bring you all the blessings, challenges, truth, and light that you need for your journey. May you never be isolated. May you always be in the gentle nest of belonging with your anam ċara.”

 

 

 

Janelle lives in Medicine Hat, Alberta, with husband, Sandy, their three mostly grown kids and two Shelties. She has been a member of Inscribe for over ten years and has served in the past as FellowScript Editor and webmaster.

Alan lives in a small village called Deroche, British Columbia, with wife, Terry, and their poodle, Charlie. He enjoys walking on the dike near his home, where he finds inspiration for his writing. He occasionally writes articles for FellowScript Magazine and is a regular contributor to the InScribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship blog. His website, https://scarredjoy.ca, is under construction.