Lighthouse at Hillsboro Inlet, Pompano Beach, Florida
It is impossible to go through life without suffering. Henri Nouwen once said that "When our wounds cease to be a source of shame and become a source of healing, we have become wounded healers.” We are scarred by losses, disappointments, cruelty and a variety of tragic experiences. The result can be as devastating as the wounding itself. We find ourselves closed off from each other, isolated in our pain or filled with resentment. Some of us turn to the numbing effects of drugs and alcohol for relief. Time does not heal. It is almost impossible to forget or to go on as if nothing happened.
We each have the ability to rise above the issues of pain and shame. There are many people who are testimonies of inspiration. Lance Armstrong, diagnosed with life threatening cancer, was determined to overcome it. He continued to win cycling tournaments and is a tireless fundraiser for others with the disease through his LIVESTRONG foundation. Bill Wilson, a failed Wall Street broker, turned into a hopeless drunk. He was inspired in his darkness and created Alcoholics Anonymous. Millions around the world have been saved through his example. These men, like so many people, became teachers who have empowered others to trust themselves to go beyond the pain. We call them wounded healers.
The wounded healer is a beacon of hope. Those who suffer are able to see a flicker of light from the distant lighthouse. The healer represents the possibility that things can actually work out. Their willing hand, guidance and encouragement has meaning because of their common experience and solidarity with us. The message becomes a clear one. If I can survive this...so can you. A transformation takes place.
Suffering and illness do not have to define us in a negative way. Making the wound visible allows us to become a source of wisdom, healing power and an inspiration to others.
