Thursday, August 25, 2016

Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained



I've been thinking for a long while about my 
dream of writing short essays, meaningful
nonfiction that can connect, comfort and give people the 
pause we all need, for thought and reflection.
***
Suddenly, an opportunity came to me, that
was unexpected but welcomed!
***
one of the founders of the web-platform,
that this man wrote on,
asked if I would write for them.
So I said I would be honoured to,
and now, I am!
***
You can find me here, at Conciliar Post,
DV every 2 weeks. 
I also have created a new blog, dedicated to the essays
that I am writing for publication.  
You can see this blog, here!
***
A lot of my essays will be familiar to my dear
blog readers!  The first one I am writing, 
is one that I first wrote on a year ago.
***
We write best when we write our own story; and so it is with this
understanding that I begin!
***
My first essay for Conciliar Post is on the topic of anxiety,
really a meditation on anxiety and what I learned about it over the years.
***
Perhaps I will write another essay on it someday,
it really all started in 1998, when one day I was in my dorm room,
and it is like I suddenly woke up, 
though I was standing at the time,
and I realized that my entire self was riddled through with worry.
***
It would be some years before I would even begin to untangle all the causes,
 reasons or even see that this anxiety could be fought and healed.
I am still in that process but I know now what it is a war to be waged,
it is something to be fought.
***
And so, my first writing is on this journey... 
***
My first essay begins...

"When I still lived in Ottawa, I went through a time when I was unemployed, spent my carefully tended savings to survive and then ran out of money completely.   For a few months I did not know how I was going to pay rent or buy food.  Scary.  Twice in my life I went through testing to see if I had cancer; each time, no cancer.  Everyday now it seems that apocalyptic fearful things happen; the news tells us only of some.  Anxiety has weighed me down deep in it’s ocean, submerging me under in its waves.  It was there I learned you need to fight and deal with fear and anxiety while you are in the midst of it.

When overwhelmed, I pray small quick prayers: when I am afraid, I trust in Thee; I repeat this prayer many times.  I can breathe again.  I do small prayers, cross myself, say the Jesus Prayer(Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me), these all help.  I am learning to tune out a lot of news and worry. That you can choose to have a peaceful day or an anxious day. It's all where and what you focus on and put your energy towards….With Christ one can develop a well of interior peace, an inward fortress.  I am not there yet.  But Mother Gavrilia shows that the way towards this peace is to accept everything in my life, to live in my ‘today’ with God and trust that God’s will is unfolding, even if my life and well being are in peril.

I started learning this in Ottawa when I was unemployed;...". read the rest
here (or here)!

13 comments:

Nancy said...

Yay!! That's great, looking forward to seeing your articles. Cute picture,by the way.

Peacocks and Sunflowers said...

Congratulations! Good for you - nowadays more than ever, such opportunities come from having the desire to do a thing, and just doing it, without waiting for an invitation, before an 'official' opportunity arises. I look forward to reading your thoughts (oh haha that doesn't sound quite right!) in in the new places now too :D

Nancy McCarroll said...

Many kudos for this accomplishment ! And even more heartfelt congratulations for learning to leave your cares to the One who understands and loves you completely.

Am looking back now to go to your links for further reading.

elizabeth said...

Thanks so much Nancy!
Thanks Anna, I think you made sense!
Thanks Nancy M ~ I would say my journey with God in waging war against anxiety is still ongoing, but I have learned a lot along the way... may God continue to have mercy!

Matushka Anna said...

Congratulations on this new step! (Love the photo)

Paula said...

Wow!!! That's so cool! Good luck!

Elizabeth @ The Garden Window said...

What wonderful news! Congratulations!

Pom Pom said...

What a sweet gift from God! This opportunity will nurture your mind, help you grow in your love for the King, and allow you to share with others. Yay!

Lisa said...

Congratulations, Elizabeth!

Rosemary said...

What exciting and wonderful news!! And what a beautiful affirmation from God to fulfill this desire of yours. :) I look forward to reading your essays!

karen said...

I am so very happy for you and this new opportunity! so very exciting :)

Lisa said...

Congratulations, Elizabeth! You write beautifully, from the heart. :) Blessings to you as you pursue this new opportunity! xo

Emmie said...

Thsnk God for this opportunity. Now more than ever, essays that uplift and help us turn to God are needed. Blessings!