Pain is a catalyst. . . .

Emotional pain, physical pain. A heaviness in the heart or a thump on the head. I have endured physical pain as most people of my age have; appendicitis, falls from trees and roof-tops, menses, migraines, birth, wrist surgeries, cuts and stitches, broken bones, sinus pain, stubbed toe pain, bit my own tongue pain. It is surmountable. We can get through our own pain, eventually it subsides.

Emotional pain is more difficult. The scars run like rivers in us, small tributaries that feed into others, they bleed into good intentions and adventures we never take, they create assumptions that blind us to truth. Emotional pain, well rendered, brings insight and strength, courage even. Details? Okay

“She’s just a girl,” her father said. “Why does she need to finish high school?”
“You will never be beautiful, Mary, so you must create the illusion of beauty.”
“Do you know how silly you look?”
“What are you going to do if you leave your husband; go live in a trailer with cats?”
“You’re ugly.”
“This won’t hurt.”
“She didn’t deserve that award, if you know what I mean,” wink wink.
“No one will ever love you like I do.”
“I hate you.”
“I want to live with Daddy.”
“Get out of my house,” my mother said.
“I wish you would die.”
“I can’t see you anymore.”

That’s all you get. Believe me, I have mined my emotional pain in my writing. I know the writer can’t hide even if they try.

Pain is a catalyst to action. We know something must be done, our lives must change.