Grounded
leaving anxiety behind
Anxiety is a place I once called home. Though I still visit from time to time, I have worked hard to leave it behind. It was never where I truly belonged.
An imaginary airplane takes me to Anxiety, fueled by headlines and catastrophizing. When I board that plane, I carry a parachute—I can jump out at any time. But fear grips me, and every instinct urges me to stay. Yet, I must fight back.
If I remain on that plane, I will land in Anxiety once again—a place that is dark and unhealthy. Once there, I can easily forget my true home. But I have learned to follow the light. It is always there, guiding me back.
To stay grounded, I must cut off the plane’s fuel supply. Only then can I pause, look around, and remember the beauty of home—home in the presence of God’s love. This love reveals itself through nature, through people, and through creativity.
Nature is one of the most profound ways I encounter God’s love. A sunrise over the horizon, golden light filtering through the trees, the rhythmic sound of ocean waves—each of these whispers reassurance: I am held, I am seen. Nature knows no urgency, only the steady unfolding of life in perfect rhythm. The changing seasons remind me that transformation is part of existence, and yet, there is beauty in every stage. Watching a bird build its nest or a flower bloom after a long winter, I am reminded that God provides and sustains. I, too, am part of this grand design.
God’s love is also reflected in people. A kind word, a shared smile, the embrace of a friend—these moments are sacred. Sometimes, love arrives in deep conversation, where hearts open in vulnerability. Other times, it is the quiet presence of someone who simply sits with me in my struggle. The people in my life are living reflections of divine love, reminding me that I am never alone. And when I extend kindness to others, I participate in that love, drawing even closer to God.
Creativity is yet another pathway to divine love. Whether through writing, music, painting, or any form of artistic expression, creativity connects me to something beyond myself. Padraig O Tuama once said, “Wherever art comes from, it’s always bigger than its source.” When I create, I feel as though I am touching the divine—translating the intangible into words, images, and melodies. In creating, I find clarity, healing, and connection.
Anxiety may still call to me, but I no longer dwell there. I have learned how to ground myself in the presence of God’s love. By immersing myself in nature, embracing the love of others, and stepping into creativity, I remain home—secure, held, and deeply loved.
With love and gratitude,
Dawn
Exciting news! My serial novel, Cascading Courage, has launched. This dual-timeline story unfolds between the 1990s and 1930s, weaving together themes of friendship and the fight for justice. It will be released in 40 weekly installments on Mondays between February and the end of 2025. The first chapters have already been published, but you can join anytime by upgrading your subscription and catching up in the archives, ensuring you don’t miss anything.
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May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you wherever he may send you; may he guide you through the wilderness; protect you through the storm; may he bring you home rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you; may he bring you home rejoicing: once again into our doors.
Beautiful! These three things remain: Nature, Friendship and Creativity. So true.