Saturday, September 6, 2025

Answering Fear, Not Fleeing


Answering Fear, Not Fleeing
By Annette Camp 
September 6, 2025

Fear rises,
a familiar pull at the 
edges of my heart.
It whispers to retreat, 
to protect, to run before 
I feel the weight of loss again.

But this time, I pause.
I notice the tremor, the 
instinct to escape,
and instead of yielding,
I let the fear speak.

I listen.
I see what it carries—
memories, pain, patterns,
and I respond with 
awareness, not avoidance.

You lay out your truths 
like letters in a box,
folded carefully, honored
but not ruling the present.
I honor mine,
acknowledge the past,
and choose presence.

Together we step slowly,
with patience as our guide,
with words bridging 
uncertainty, with care 
that builds rather than divides.

This lesson is not about 
perfection, but about 
choosing to stay,
to answer fear with 
attention, to turn 
toward connection,
and let trust grow
quietly in its place.

Thursday, September 4, 2025

Whispers and Welcome


Whispers and Welcome
By Annette Camp 
September 1, 2025

Coming home to Alabama,
there's no need to explain my accent.
I don’t have to bike the whole neighborhood,
paddle a river, or climb a mountain
to feel that I belong.

In Colorado, the mountains and rivers welcome me,
their vastness and light carrying a quiet joy,
neighborhoods stretching wide and still,
inviting me to wander, to breathe, to discover.

Here, Alabama greets me differently.
Pink blossoms nod in the afternoon breeze,
light showers scatter across the yard,
and birds chirp to awaken the day.
Family surrounds me, my best friend nearby,
and the air itself lets me simply be.

The door creaks open for me,
bringing to mind all that I love -
the people, laughter, hugs, warmth -
and I settle into the rhythm of my dad's home.

Returning, old streets whisper memories,
and the possibility of staying longer than a moment
stirs quietly inside me.
I look toward the future with curiosity,
wondering which places, which people,
which rhythms and spaces,
will hold me, shape me,
and finally make me feel at home.

A Sacred Prayer



A Sacred Prayer
By Annette Camp 
September 4, 2025

Prayer does not rush;
it unfolds in deliberate
meditative, affirmative pauses
and deep, conscious breathing.

Each breath draws me inward
and grounds me in the present.
I become aware of the quiet
currents beneath my restless mind.

Affirmations provide clarity
and bring intention to this moment.
They guide me gently
and soften tension within.

The pauses unfold—
deliberate, reflective, tender.
Prayer invites me to linger
and rest in quiet understanding.

I honor the stillness around me,
listening deeply to my heart's messages.
Each moment offers gentle guidance,
shaping understanding without hurry.

True guidance is not found in speed,
but in breath, in attentive presence.
In these quiet pauses, I discover
what my soul has been seeking.

With each inhale, I gather clarity,
with each exhale, I let go of tension.
These deep, conscious breaths guide me,
revealing patience, presence, and calm.

The map of my inner life
emerges very slowly.
With every inhale and exhale,
a prayer unfolds within me.