Wounds

Most of us take physical wound healing for granted. If we have a cut, we would not think twice to clean it, maybe bandage it and move on without thinking that underneath what our bodies (if functioning to par) marshal to heal: clot to stop the bleeding (Hemostasis), fight infection (Inflammation), send nutrients and oxygen for regrowth (Proliferation) and reorganize collagen to reduce scar thickness and increase wound strength (Remolding).  At the time of the injury, the body is not focused on rebuilding with minimal scarring, it responds to the wound and addresses the immediate need to close the wound by clotting.

On the surface we see a scar that turns from red to fade. The nature of the scar will have been impacted by the initial damage and there is no reason to assume that the scar does not transform what had been even if the wound has healed. 

Trees heal damaged bark by isolating the injury and forming a new callus (wood) to grow around the damaged area in order to isolate the decay and allow for new growth.

This has me thinking about how we approach disruptor moments in our lives that can wound us – like divorce. Emotional wounds do not necessarily heal in a healthy manner on autopilot, and, if not attended to, they can negatively affect the way we perceive ourselves and the world. The greater the impact, the more likely the damage and the more egregious and festering the scar. 

There is much you can do to mitigate the impact, including building and accessing a support network (to form a protective barrier), as well maintaining control over your future by engaging (if safe) in a non-adversarial process that encourages joint problem-solving, collaboration on solutions, and an opportunity to work through differences. 

Remember, any scar is a sign of resilience: a visual proof of transformation. The tree pictured with a deformed scarred trunk blooms with glory.