Reading · Creative Communion

I grew up in a small town in South Carolina and it was nothing for me to walk outside without any shoes on. I would push open the screen door, hop down our steps, and sink my feel into the grass and dirt. No shoes and no thought of the safety of my feet. I didn’t realize until recently how grounded I felt in those moments of my toes digging into lush green grass.

Now, I don’t live in the same type of environment. It’s not natural for me to walk out the door and immediately be met by my own plot of grassy land that lends itself to the carefree movements I had when I was younger or when I visit my mom and in-laws in S.C.

The other day I had this strong urge to feel my bare feet on the ground. So we went outside and I told Kade “take off your socks, we’re gonna feel our toes in the grass.”

We went to the nearest grassy open space. He played and ran like he does whenever we go south. We both frolicked like we needed the earth under our feet. As if it was our air.

Being physically connected to the earth (like how I described it above)
Knowing and moving within purpose

I have always believed that my purpose has to do with sharing love through my creative expression—writing, photography, curation, or any medium that allows me to express myself. But there times when I see my responsibilities, which primarily require income, as competing priorities when it comes to my purpose. Each time I feel that way, especially after I get a rejection letter or find myself at odds with how I spend my time, I remember that I am living out my purpose each and every day.

My goal for many years has been to do what I love and I when I really think about my current job, I am doing just that. As challenging as my 9 to 5 can be at times, I get to write. I get to be creative. I get to lead with love.

Those are the things that satisfy me and encourage me to push towards my other goals. This is a level of success that I sometimes ignore simply because my life looks different than what I imagined a writers life would be.

Contrary to what sometimes gets stuck in my head, I am a writer. I’m working on a new draft of my novel, I continue to submit to literary magazines, and I work with amazing, intelligent colleagues who make me smile.

These last 20+ years of professional and personal artistic successes have been about learning, growing, honoring the things that bring me joy, and doing the work I value. Remembering that and putting my feet in the grass is what keeps me grounded.

How do you keep yourself grounded? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Grounded

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