November 1, 2024
Pema Chödrön: “Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know.”
Does time heal all wounds? Originally posed by a Greek philosopher, this saying is often used to provide comfort or hope. But does it distract us from fully experiencing the pain, the heartache, the suffering of the present moment? What would happen if we allowed ourselves to truly feel the pain rather than being reassured that it will eventually be okay, or being distracted by those around us?
Imagine if we had the tools, the stories, and the understanding to sit with our pain. Perhaps we’d find ourselves moving through it—dancing, singing, sleeping, walking, crying, or laughing until it has fully passed through us. Then, maybe years later, we wouldn’t be surprised when remnants of it resurface at unexpected times, leaving us unaware of their origin.
I envision a form of resilience—not in pushing pain away, but in allowing it. Does time truly heal all wounds? I’m not so sure. But if we could sit with it, honor it, and acknowledge it, perhaps we would develop a deeper acceptance, even compassion for our pain. By resonating with our feelings rather than dismissing them, we embrace what it means to be human—fully present, emotions and all. Let us be here, together, experiencing life in its entirety.