Time Heals Nothing

Pain has the potential to produce more growth than happiness ever could...

Time heals all wounds. 

Just give it time.

Time will help.

These sentiments are often expressed in periods of pain and loss. The idea is that with enough time we will forget or separate from our pain.

I wish that were true.

Time on its own does nothing.

We may think about our pain less, but until processed, the pain remains. It is just hidden in the cracks of our hearts attempting to escape in whatever form is made available to it.

Perhaps our pain escapes in bursts of anger towards loved ones or rage at complete strangers while driving.

Maybe it comes in the form of addiction. We drink to numb or pop a pill to forget. We work out excessively to maintain control. 

Or worse yet, our pain is pressed down so far that it morphs into a deep depression, an agonizing hopelessness, a lonely existence.

Time won’t take away the pain, it will merely lessen our awareness of it. 

The only way to rid ourselves of the toxicity of our pain is to acknowledge its existence. Process its lesson. Feel its weight. We must allow the pain to move through us.

If we are intentional the pain will produce more growth than happiness ever could.

When we allow the pain to be felt and move through us we will arrive at a state of compassion. Compassion for others and compassion for ourselves.

Compassion is the byproduct of growth.

Once we know despair and come back from it we will overflow with compassion for those still in the depths of pain.

Maybe your pain is the friction that is going to ignite your growth.

Don’t waste your time waiting for the pain to leave your realm of awareness. Instead ask, what will this pain teach me, how can I make space for it, and how can I grow?

Struggling to process big feelings? Alchemizing Emotions Practice coming to the Podcast on Monday!