Pain

        "Pain can be like a thorn that is sharp and sore and needs to be removed. Pain can be severe yet dull and hidden. Pain can become a daily thing, a 'cross' to be borne, or a sudden result of an accident or loss. We don't often talk about pain except in how to cure it. There are so many remedies from the prescription to the natural to help pain in all parts of the body, even in the pain of depression.

        Pain is part of life at some time. We cannot escape it. It can be physical or emotional. It can be the beginning of birth or it can be the ending of life, and inbetween some seem to suffer it much more than others. We speak of the threshold of pain - the level at which we are able to manage the pain so it is bearable. It is a strange thing that pain endured seems to make it possible for a stronger threshold of pain.

        People are in pain each day and sometimes the endurance of the pain of emotion or the pain of loss becomes a way of life for it is so deeply embedded it appears we have never been without it. It takes time and circumstances and support to erase this kind of pain. Often, we are so caught up in our own pain that we forget that others around us are in their own pain. This is easily understood for the person with a smile on his face may be the one who is hurting the most inside. We all wear masks to hide our pain and some succeed and some do not. If we can understand that there is not smoothness in one's life, that in each person's life at some time there will be a need for comfort, then we can sensitize ourselves to comfort others in some way. It is not always sympathy that is needed, nor is it always necessary to verbally acknowledge there is pain, just knowing is enough, then we can reach out with what feels right to help the other. It may be just listening, it may be some little surprise of warmth, it may just being you and being there for the person.

        It seems that when one is in pain, there is nowhere to reach for whatever it takes to give affection, support, or warmth to another, yet if we can get past our own pain, we can reach deep inside and do some small action for another. Do not carry pain too long. Try to eliminate it or soften it with loving care. Be patient with yourself. As wounds take time to heal, give the pain time to go away, and if it is the type of pain or loss that appears to stay forever, then let it drift to a safe place within.

        Love heals."