I read this quote this morning and it hit this very sensitive, very deep and very destitute part of my heart.
"The wound is the place where the Light enters you." - Rumi
This is so true and so "typical", right? The very place you hurt the most and have the most pain is the place that the light will enter...it is, in all actuality, the place that needs the light. But, it's more than that...this statement exposes the truth about healing. It's painful... You have to think about the things that are raw and grating at your caustic skin. You can't come at it from another angle in hopes that the healing will happen through a gentle osmosis that makes it's way to your more severe and wounded places. No... Its like having to clean a wound with alcohol...scrubbing out the bacteria that threatens to infect and break down your wellbeing. At first it stings terribly; causing your body to curl into itself in hopes of fending off the agony that is invading your, no longer, composed existence. You scream and you rage until the cool calm of tears soak over your tender places. Your tears clean your most agonizing parts and sooth your throat that is sore from your cries. You no longer cry tears of bitterness, but of new beginnings and your soul will be refreshed.
If only healing can be as sweet as it sounds. Isn't it interesting that the most necessary things in life can also be the most grievous. But, it is what it is...right? Your fear keeps you from sleeping...but what will bring your soul rest? Sleep. Your guilt keeps you from laughing...but what will bring you joy? Forgiveness. Your pain keeps you from living...but what will bring you peace? Acceptance that only comes from diving into the very thing that causes your pain. In the beginning your memories will be devastating, but as you move along the path of healing, your memories will become a cooling salve that you will hold protectively and gently, but with utter resolve that they shall never leave your tangled fingers. Healing isn't something that just happens...its intentional. You work at it, you fail at it and when you don't think it will ever happen...its there. As life goes on, you'll have moments of remission...but you've been there and you will never sink below the surface of the water that threatens to drown you. You'll rise above and walk among the waves that have been calmed by the Great Comforter. There is a Light that you can reach and the darkness can never extinguish it, so reach for it. Don't let fear keep you from the light. Don't allow the pain to define you...that is a liberty that only healing can own. Expose your wounds to the Light and grip your memories so you can withstand the sting.
