Facing Shadows: Finding Strength and Gratitude Through Writing
"This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilizations heal."
—Toni Morrison
In times of challenge, words have a power like no other. As Toni Morrison beautifully put it, artists go to work not only to create but to heal. Writing Sketches from the Heart of a Texas Artist was my way of navigating the dark shadows that sometimes loom, capturing the inner journey of a strong Texas woman fighting to survive. There are two passages from this book that I revisit, pieces that connect deeply with those grappling with shadows of their own.
“The massive dark shadow crept closer. My mind began to twist and turn and tell me things I didn’t want to hear. My chest trembled as I gasped for air. Standing alone under the hot Texas sun, I knew I had to act quickly. If I let the darkness engulf me, if I surrendered to the fear and loneliness that the shadow carried, then the strong Texas woman that lives deep in my soul would not survive.”
“As I stared down the dusty, west Dallas street, certain I had abolished the dark shadow of despair, I allowed myself to revel in the tranquility of its absence. Only for a moment, though. Because as soon as a weight was lifted from my shoulders, I was struck by another. This wasn’t over. This would be an ongoing battle—an introspective journey in search of the shadow’s ultimate cremation.”
These words lead right up to a pivotal moment in Sketches, where Mona, my protagonist, reaches a breaking point. She races to the border, hijacks a sailboat, and finds herself in the Caribbean, hoping to outrun her grief. But the journey becomes one of self-discovery, as she learns that she can’t keep trying to silence her grief; instead, she must face it, connect with her inner self, and let that guide her forward.
To anyone who feels chased by shadows—you're not alone. Trauma shapes us all in different ways, and Sketches from the Heart of a Texas Artist was my way of confronting that shadow, channeling the resilience of a Texas spirit that refuses to give up. Mona’s journey isn’t a neat ending, and if you follow my work, you’ll know that her fight to understand herself isn’t over. But that’s the point—she’s trying. She’s facing her darkness head-on, acknowledging that healing is a continuous process.
Writing Prompt
If you’re facing your own dark shadows, I encourage you to start your own narrative. Whether it’s journaling about your past, present, or the things that make you who you are, writing can be transformative. If penning down these thoughts feels overwhelming, start small. Here’s a prompt to ease in:
Make a Gratitude List.
Start by listing everything you’re grateful for. It could be as simple as “the morning sunlight” or “a warm cup of coffee.” Let this list grow as inspiration strikes, and revisit it daily. Let it serve as a reminder of light, even on the darker days.
The other day, a dear friend and psychologist suggested I make my own gratitude list. At first, it felt like a simple task, but as I added to it, something beautiful happened—I felt a genuine shift. Now, every time I look at the list, I smile, finding something new to be thankful for.
When I wrote Sketches from the Heart of a Texas Artist, I was wading through a dark sea of emotions. Yet, through the process, I found clarity, a break in the clouds, and sunlight pouring in. Writing has the power to heal, to guide us out of darkness and into gratitude and peace.