Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding.
~ Khalil Gibran
Have you ever been so engulfed in pain that it feels like you’re wrapped in a cocoon, separated from the world? If so, you might understand how easy it is to lose sight of what truly matters—the people around us. This realization struck me profoundly last week. Just over a week had passed since I underwent excruciating rotator cuff surgery. Despite knowing the importance of exercise, my misery consumed me, feeling as out of place as a cat at a dog show, and indulging in self-pity like it was an Olympic event.
As I sluggishly walked along the St. Pete Pier, my arm was in a sling, strapped tightly to my waist; it felt more like a misguided fashion accessory than a medical necessity. The pain was very intense, making my usual morning mindfulness walk seem impossible. This was when Kahlil Gibran’s mystical quote about understanding our pain became an invitation to embrace, examine, and personalize the message my angel of the day brought to me.
A sweet lady appeared in front of me, wearing a T-shirt that seemed to shout, “Hey, you!” Snap out of it! Was this a divine intervention intended to shake me from my stupor? The back of her shirt read: “DEAR PERSON BEHIND ME—YOU MATTER—YOU’RE ENOUGH—YOU’RE AMAZING.” Whether by fate or coincidence, it stopped me in my tracks. I took a deep breath, smiled, and realized how lucky I was to have people who remind me of my worth, even amidst my self-absorbed pity-pain story. I stopped, thanked her, and asked to take a photo of her shirt.
We often become most self-centered when we’re in pain
THE TAKEAWAY: May today be the day we recognize our importance to those around us. May we also remember that not everyone wears their pain on the outside and that emotional pain can be equally devastating, but all too invisible. These are challenging times for many. Embrace the fact that in the middle of it all, YOU matter… I matter… we ALL matter. In a world growing more indifferent, this awareness is like finding the last cookie in the jar—it transforms the sweetness of our perception of ourselves and others, and that is an awareness worth cherishing.
Great article and insight! I tend to do the same thing when in pain feel sorry for myself. But then I remember there’s others much worse off than me and I start appreciating my life more