The Transformative Power of Pain

Single maple leaf on an old wooden bridge in Northern Ireland

The Pain of Brain Injury

It’s rather obvious that a brain injury of any magnitude involves some level of pain. However, it was my experience that the physical pain and symptoms of my concussion were the least of my concerns. What I found much more disturbing and difficult to cope with was the psychological and even spiritual pain. Those who suffer from brain injuries often struggle with the reality that they can no longer function at the level they used to. Related to this, but even worse, is the disconnection from oneself and the Universe that one experiences. This is the pain that I hear most about from fellow survivors - the disconnection.

Our Response

Although we cannot control the fact that we sustained a brain injury or the length of time healing will take, we can control our response to the circumstance. Richard Rohr - author, spiritual writer, and Franciscan friar – says, “Pain teaches a most counter-intuitive thing: we must go down before we even know what up is.” I describe my personal struggles with this notion in my book. I was constantly resisting, denying, and wishing away my head injury. The only way I was able to move forward was to finally accept it. Simple acceptance allowed me to transform my pain and lit the path out of the rabbit hole.

Transform vs. Transmit

We essentially have two choices. One choice is to transmit our pain, either spreading it out across the universe like a toxic cloud or holding it within. The toxicity of this pain is evident in statistics. The suicide rate after five years for those who have experienced mild concussions is eight times higher than the general population. (September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.) The second and preferred choice is to accept and allow our pain to transform us and use our circumstances to better the world in which we live. May you find healing transformation in whatever you are experiencing.

Peace,

Sharon