I received the quote below in an inspirational email from the best trauma therapist in the world… at least she is that to me!
These words spoke to me. The old me, before discovery, would have wanted to solve all my problems with practical thoughts and mature words. But the new, traumatized and healing me learned how to feel, deep in my heart, without breaking. The new me knows it’s okay to weep for what I’ve lost while still being grateful for what I have gained.
LIVE YOUR WOUNDS
You have been wounded in many ways. The more you open yourself to being healed, the more you will discover how deep your wounds are. . . . The great challenge is living your wounds through instead of thinking them through. It is better to cry than to worry, better to feel your wounds deeply than to understand them, better to let them enter into your silence than to talk about them. The choice you face constantly is whether you are taking your hurts to your head or to your heart. In your head you can analyze them, find their causes and consequences, and coin words to speak and write about them. But no final healing is likely to come from that source. You need to let your wounds go down to your heart. Then you can live through them and discover that they will not destroy you. Your heart is greater than your wounds.
~Henri Nouwen
We leave on a road trip tomorrow morning, Blue Eyes’ 57th birthday. We travel through Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona. Beautiful pictures to follow.
Peace my friends. ❤️
I like that “live THROUGH your wounds” — the only way out is going through it. I think many people have said something like that – the going through part. We can’t get exit the bus.
All of this makes us more faceted and wise. It’s painful, but that’s my truth.
So happy you are on a TRIP! Enjoy!!!
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The trip was amazing. So glad we did it even if the covid situation made us nervous some days. We have been isolating since our return and got our covid tests last night.
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The CVD19 stuff drives my anxiety through the roof. That’s just ME. And HIM. We entertained he idea of going to the Adirondacks or the Finger Lakes or Lake Champlain (all in NY – this summer – and numbers were LOW), but we both knew the anxiety wouldn’t be worth it, so we didn’t. It’s OK that other people choose other things – but we have to function in OUR comfort zone (and – I know – it’s rigid). It could mean death for me, Kat. If I am intubated the wrong way, I choose death b/c I don’t choose tracheostomy and stomach tube – that would happen b/c I am functioning on one vocal cord – it’s not a crazy thought – it’s real.) I’m revising my advanced care directives and I really should blog about all of this – I’ve been dealing with HEAVY stuff. It’s hard, but I am hoping for something better in 2021?
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I totally understand! Covid will eventually be managed and it’s not worth risking your life for, or even your quality of life. You are making the right choice. There are a lot of people who don’t follow the rules. We saw lots of careless people on our trip. They don’t care and aren’t taking it seriously. We stayed as far away as possible. Cheers to something much better in 2021! 🥂❤️
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Have a great road trip!
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We’re having a wonderful time although early snow has made our hikes much more interesting!
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Nice! We just got our first batch of snow today. It didn’t stick, but it was nice to see the small flakes come in. Thanks for the update! ~Dave
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We get very little snow in Portland. The city is at less than 40’ elevation and our house is at about 500’. Our first hike of the trip was in the Wasatch Mountains at about 8000’ with a 600’ gain over less than 2 miles, a day after snowfall. I was huffing and puffing, but nothing prepared me for Friday’s hike. 1000’ gain over 2.5 miles going up a mountain with 2-3 feet of snow on the path. Final destination 11000’. I’ll post pics as soon as I have time. Our days have been chock full of beautiful sights! 😁
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Wow! That sounds exhilarating! I bet those pictures are going to be magnificent. Can’t wait to see them.
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I hope your trip is wonderful and restorative! Enjoy!
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So far it has been amazing! ❤️
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I wonder if I’m healing in my head or my heart when I curse him out in my head, because when I do that my heart hurts…this is so damn confusing. Maybe that’s not healing at all. Some days I still have absolutely no clue what the hell I’m doing or what I’m going to do. I’m still confused and struggling like the rest of us I guess.
Hope you’re well xo
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It’s all very confusing, but for me, I needed to feel it in my heart as my head is way too adept at rationalizing. xo
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Beautiful Kat! (I have read many of Henri Nouewen’s books. A deep and insightful thinker). Enjoy your trip 🙂
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This quote really spoke to me. I’ll have to read more of his work when I return home. For now I’m building up my lung capacity by hiking at elevations up to 11,000’. 🥵
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I’m sure you’re going to have a blast! The highest I’ve climbed in this area is just over 9,000. However, I live 4,000 above sea level so am somewhat acclimatized 🙂
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That’s nice, apparently it takes a while to acclimate and I don’t think that will happen this trip! Although difficult, it’s been good for me! Portland is basically at sea level. 😳
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Stunningly gorgeous flowers. Road trips are the perfect opportunity to be super connected, talk, discover, rediscover and just be. Have a lovely trip!!
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We’ve done all that, and more! Yesterday I pushed myself harder than I have in a long time on a hike with my son. A 1000’ gain over 2.5 miles on a mountain with 3’ of snow to a final destination if 11000’. I could barely breathe, but didn’t give up! xo
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Have a fab trip, live every moment in the here and now ❤❤
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We’re having a blast! 😁
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