There is an amazing power in intangibles. Like the wind, we do not see it but see its devastating effects such as the recent floods in Libya. Floods that killed thousands of people and left almost all survivors homeless.
Intangible wounds are the same as they can flood us from the inside with waves of misery and despair. Intangible wounds come in different forms and shapes such as betrayal from a close friend. Emotional betrayals are also very painful.
The problem with intangible wounds is that others may not feel them. When people see a wounded person bleeding they feel passionate because they can sense the pain.
However, this sense of pain is lesser when it comes to intangible pain. You own the pain. If your partner leaves you for no reason after being years together, the pain is great for you and not for others. Healing the pain is your responsibility. You must serve yourself first to cope with pain and then reduce it.
We need to accept pain because there is nothing we can do about it. If the mother of a friend dies feelings of pain will not bring her mother back.
We need to remember that pain is stressful and living in pain shall only foster the pain, harm our bodies, and affect our well-being. It is allowing its flood to overwhelm us.
We need to go beyond pain. The question is how to do it?
One way is to distract yourself by doing things you like. This shall prevent pain from intensifying.
Another way is to welcome pain. The great poet Rumi said, “‘the wound is the place where the light Enters you”.
Search for the light of pain and let it guide you. What do you learn from pain? What is the message that pain is sending you?
You have lost a dear person then the light entering from the wound reminds you to remember the good things about that person.
The lost person had a wish that he could not fulfill would you be able to realize that wish? If yes, act on it. This is the drive for you to think positively and make the flood serve you and push you forward.
I leave the space for you dear readers to add your thoughts on dealing with intangible wounds.
One more piece to relate to Ali anani sir. Intangible pain is something, we all are prone to in life. As said, it depends on the individual to deal with the pain according to their understanding and mentality. I feel acceptance of things that we do not control is the first step, maybe to begin healing. I loved the phrase in your article “You must serve yourself first to cope with pain and then reduce it.” Introspection of pain is a vital idea. Thank you for sharing the real yet mindful article, sir.
You are very right, AISHWARIYA
“I feel acceptance of things that we do not control is the first step…”
Without acceptance we develop a negative attitude that tend to worsen our problem
It is not a simple question and I think the road to a solution very subjective.
Culture teaches that it is better to forget, to put a “band-aid” on what makes us feel bad, to leave everything behind by deciding not to think about it anymore. But it actually happens that one logically pushes away these sufferings which, unconsciously, remain open wounds capable of influencing one’s life without realizing it. Also because it could happen that someone with their behavior evokes that wound.
Moreover, the degree of physical and emotional suffering will greatly depend on how deep these wounds are. And hiding behind excuses or beliefs amplifies the pain and distances us from the goal of achieving a peaceful life.
I believe it is important to start from the assumption that this work is done for oneself. Self-love allows us to heal wounds and start our lives over. It is a sure antidote to apathy and the push to give importance to our personal well-being.
Tour words are of gold, Aldo.
Your comment is so cohesive that I want to add only my full support and approval of it.