Ground-ish: Reflections on Being Human

by Kim Dodd

A year ago, when the fires broke out in Los Angeles, I wrote this reflection from a place of

heaviness and deep concern. It was a difficult time—emotions were high, anxiety was high, and

many people were simply trying to figure out what to do next and where to find support. Now, a

year later, I’m returning to these words with a different kind of awareness: in the past year, it

may not only be the fires you survived. There have likely been other losses, unknown

difficulties, and obstacles you’ve had to navigate throughout 2025. I’m resharing this in prayer

that it encourages you—gently—to stay grounded as you step into this new year.

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Isn’t every day a day unlike any other? When we live our lives in service to others, we can

sometimes get stuck in ways that feel confusing to us. It can feel as though we’re walking on

shifting sand, yet the reality is that many people depend on us and expect us to be the ones who

are grounded. No matter our job, profession, or role in life, at some point we all find ourselves in

a servant-leader position—being the steady place others reach for. They look to us for support,

encouragement, wisdom, and the reassurance that life will be okay.

There are days—perhaps today is one of them—when the reality of who we need to be for others

is not aligned with what we are feeling internally. On these days, we can feel disconnected from

ourselves, almost as though we are simply going through the motions. Others may tell us,

“You’ve been so helpful,” or “I don’t know what I would have done without seeing (or speaking

to) you.” Yet internally, something very different might be happening.

The last time I traveled, I made a point to really listen to what the flight attendant said about

safety procedures in case of an emergency. It struck me how often we don’t think through what it

means to be prepared. Emergencies are typically reactive, but the airline emphasizes—sometimes

with humor—how critical it is to prepare ahead of time.

The devastation happening in Los Angeles (at the time of this writing) reminds me of getting on

that airplane. Many people will look to us to be grounded, emotionally healthy, and be present in

their lives because they don’t know how to show up for themselves. In essence, we are the

oxygen mask. And just as the flight attendant instructs, you must put on your own oxygen mask

before helping others.

I ask you today: What is the oxygen mask you need for yourself? Is your family ready to

evacuate before you take that session or call or task? If not, attend to that first. Or maybe you

need to take a moment to recalibrate your own nervous system response to what is happening

right now. If so, then take that breath. Drink some water. Reorient yourself so you can truly show

up for others.