The Many Faces of Pain

There are many faces of pain in today’s society. There is physical pain, psychological pain, and spiritual pain. As women with heart disease, you know what I mean.

There’s the pain in the middle of our chest when were having a heart attack. The pain when the doctor cracks open our rib cage as we undergo surgery. The pain of recovery when weeks pass by as our bodies slowly heal.

Then there’s the psychological pain in our lives. Depression. Anxiety. Stress. For some of us, medication can help. For others, we try to keep a handle on things through deep breathing and stress management techniques. Oftentimes, it’s the psychological pain that lingers far longer than the physical pain. But deal with the psychological pain, we must.

Spiritual pain happens when we don’t have a connection to God. The connection doesn’t have to be in the form of a formalized religion. It can be an appreciation for nature or another deity. What matters is that we have an appreciation for life.

There are millions of people walking on this earth in pain. Sometimes needless pain because they refuse to let go of the past and worry about a future that may never be.

These past few days in San Diego have been a painful reminder to me. The fires raging in our county are devastating. Some people have lost their lives. Hundreds of thousands were displaced. Homes were lost. The physical effects of the fire on the body will unfold in the days and weeks ahead. Millions of people are inhaling tiny particles of ash into their lungs. The mental effects of the fire will be longer lasting. The images of flames racing through canyons. The images of lost possessions. And, the images of evacuation centers will be forever burned into our minds. But there is hope.

People will rebuild their homes. Avocado farms will be replanted. The face of San Diego will change. Those who have a spiritual practice will dig deep into themselves and find peace. Those without a spiritual connection may flounder. The key is to let go. Let go of the anger. Let go of the past. Let go of the future. Live in the present moment. Live today as if it’s the last day you will spend on this earth. Live fully and be grateful for our lives, our families, and our friends.