Understanding Trauma pt.2: The Power of Healing Within

“What is not transformed, is transferred.” I recently heard these words, and they couldn’t be more true.

We all carry our share of trauma. Trauma is the lingering wound left behind by life’s experiences, and often, we mistake trauma for the incidents themselves.

Every occurrence in our lives, whether we like it or not, has a direct cause and effect. Regrettably, we don’t always have a say in the prediction. That’s just life. However, we do have the power to assess the impact and heal what leaves a negative mark – that’s trauma.

Many of us have learned to coexist with it, what I call “high-functioning trauma.” It becomes a part of us, an unspoken agreement to live together. We accommodate it, or at least we think we do. The truth is, we’ve convinced ourselves that we’re in control. We’ve mastered the art of keeping our trauma on a leash, preventing it from consuming us. But are we really in control, or have we deluded ourselves into thinking so?

Intentionally inflicting wounds on ourselves doesn’t make us stronger or immune to the wounds created without our consent. Unfortunately, that’s a path many of us have chosen to cope and heal.

It’s time to stop glorifying trauma. Let’s acknowledge the pain, focus on treating the wounds that often leave us feeling ashamed, broken, scared, and weak. Beating yourself down and punishing yourself will never be the answer. The harsh environment that created the trauma can’t be the same one used to heal it. Darling, it’s time to do the opposite. Embrace that unfamiliar feeling, which may make you feel like a hypocrite.

It all starts with you. Love, it starts with you.