Scars

Scars. A sign that you had been hurt. A sign that you had healed. – Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Of scars I have learned, they can be visible or not. No one is immune. We all have scars. They really are nothing of which we should be ashamed. Scars serve many purposes, they remind us of our past, remind us of the pain, remind us what we endured, remind us that we are healed…

I have very few scars that are visible to the naked eye. Yeah, my scars are mostly internal. However, for the scars I carry, it is a telling phenomenon, that reminds me that yes, I endured that. And, yes, I overcame it. Sometimes, I think if we happen to look back on our lives, we wonder, did that really happen? Or the moments the past haunts – for me, I remember the scars, not with disdain, but with acceptance.

My scars remind me that I did indeed survive my deepest wounds. That in itself is an accomplishment. And they bring to mind something else, too. They remind me that the damage life has inflicted on me has, in many places, left me stronger and more resilient. What hurt me in the past has actually made me better equipped to face the present. – Steve Goodier

Earlier this week I was reminded of an event that left a scar on me. The conversation was meant to uplift me, let me know that “no one thought anything negative about me.” NEWSFLASH: I don’t care what anyone thinks about me. What the well meaning person failed to realize is the scar that was left with me because of that event – was now rubbed raw. Today, I replayed it all in my mind. I am embarrassed to admit, I had the most dangerous thoughts, because I know better… What could I have done differently? Was I so naive? Should I hide myself away? Was it me? They all said that it wasn’t me, but enduring such a situation in a place where you think you are safe… A situation so similar to a massive wound/scar inflicted by another – I try to separate the two… I remind myself that I am healed, I made it through.

The marks humans leave are too often scars. – John Green

One thing I don’t understand about humankind, is how we can treat one another so cruelly. It is not the majority, by any means. I believe that people are inherently good. Still, for the wounds we knowingly, or unknowingly, inflict on one another… If we knew the pain another feels/felt, would we still treat each other that way? Can’t we consider our own pain? I do my best to be aware – but, surely I have marred others as well?

Children show scars like medals. Lovers use them as a secrets to reveal. – Leonard Cohen

Scars are like roadmaps of our lives. Revealing those things which we have overcome. Proving to ourselves and others that we are strong – and stronger than we give ourselves credit at times. Why should we be ashamed? Even Christ had scars after all. For that, aren’t we all grateful?

*Original Photo – taken this morning, no editing. Wasn’t it beautiful?*