Poetry is Emotion

This Week | Healing

Credit: PrintsFinds/Etsy

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Healing means making something free from injury or disease, which applies to our physical and emotional selves.

When it comes to physical health, I’ve been lucky in life, having suffered from the typical (and temporary) colds, flu, sinus infections, etc. The only broken bone I’ve had was a hairline fracture in my right pinky while playing volleyball in gym class.

As a youngster, I did have mumps, chicken pox, and walking pneumonia. As an adult, I’ve had several episodes of skin cancer and now CLL (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.) It’s an incurable but slow-progressing type with various treatment options available. I wish I didn’t have it, but I’m grateful it’s not as bad as other, more aggressive forms.

We can all relate to emotional health setbacks.

They happen frequently throughout life and can range from minor to significant. The bully who knocked you on your ass at the playground. The high school sweetheart who nonchalantly ended your first ‘serious’ relationship. The job promotion that went to someone younger, with less experience.

All I can say is, “Thank God for ice cream.” 🍦🍦

The image above is the Rod of Asclepius, the god of healing.

In Greek and Roman mythology, the snake represents rebirth and rejuvenation, while the staff represents the power of healing.

You probably recognize it as used by various medical bodies and the World Health Organization.

The poem below, except for a couple of lines, reminds me of the person I invested 30 years in:

1. I left him; he didn’t leave me.

2. I was trapped, but not in a place of comfort.

We must learn to heal from many heartbreaks and disappointments throughout our lives. Sometimes, we can do it independently, and at other times, we need help and support from others.

All those emotional letdowns leave scars that help shape who we become:

• Along with happy, positive experiences, we’re also impacted by wounds. Sometimes, they’re inflicted by others, and sometimes, we hurt ourselves.

• How deeply they affect us and for how long depends on our circumstances and resilience.

• Learning to resolve discontent and let go is crucial to moving to a healthier place. But it’s also a part of us and our emotional memories.

I choose to remember you 
Not by how you hurt me 
But by how you taught me to heal.  

Not by how you left me  
But by how you taught me to never abandon myself.  

Not by how you broke me  
But by how you taught me to rebuild myself.  

Not by how you dimmed my light  
But by how you helped me to shine.  

Not by how you kept me trapped in a place of comfort  
But by how you em[owered me to leave my comfort zone.  

Not by how you left me feeling weak 
But by how you taught me what it means to be strong.  

Not by how you tried to control me  
But by how you taught me to be free.  

Not by who you told me who I was  
But by how you taught me to define myself.  

And above all I choose to remember you  
Not by how you were unable to love me 
But by how you taught me  
To love myself.  

~Poem by Tahlia Hunter

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