“As you do not wish to change a lovely form, the glow after sunset, the vision of a tree in a field, so also do not obstruct the movement of sorrow.”
— J. Krishnamurti
Kudzu is a creeping, climbing, perennial vine that, once it grows, overtakes and grows over anything in its path. Mature kudzu vines can grow as long as 100 feet per day, effectively depriving grass, plants, and even fully-grown trees of sunlight. Along with greenery, this also affects insects and animals that adapted to the plants and trees. Over a prolonged period, this can lead to a species extinction.
Pain is a similar kind of vine. Left unattended (which we do by drowning it in distraction or addiction), it grows over everything useful inside us. Our dreams, goals, relationships, and anything we hold dear don’t stand a chance.
When we understand the cause of our pain, however, we can address it. Instead of Post-Traumatic Stress, we can fuel Post-Traumatic Growth, wherein a crisis or traumatic event can lead to a positive psychological change.
Pain can make you a better human being. Don’t numb it with food, alcohol, or Netflix. Train yourself to face it, understand it, and let it flow through you, cleansing you of the weakness that led to the pain in the first place.