The Storms We Go Through Bring Us Back To Life
A large part of who we are is determined by what we have experienced. We tend not to appreciate the lessons we have learned from the most difficult experiences and not stop to think about the positive changes they have resulted in. We miss who we were before unpleasant things hit us, without realizing that we will inevitably go through such things in life. – things that ultimately destroy or strengthen us. These are the storms of life, and they can bring us back to life.
In reality , it is the tumultuous times, the great disappointments and the unpleasant experiences that expose our true nature and lead us to become stronger and more resilient. Whether it was a coincidence or not, these storms can sometimes take you back to life. Paradoxically, and without expecting it, by gathering after you have been hurt and experienced great pain, you are calmer than ever.
If life were flat and simple, it would not be life. If everyone in the world were the same and everyone wanted the same things, human relationships would be empty and there would be no reason to fight and overcome challenges. Even in a society full of justice and equality, something fantastic we all long for… conflicts would still exist.
Instability lies in the very nature that surrounds us and in the human being. Not knowing how to tolerate ambiguity, uncertainty and conflict is a fertile fertilizer for suffering from mental illness. The myth of stability in our lives is just that – a myth.
If we are aware of this fact, we will be prepared and aware that sudden changes and painful experiences are possible. Prepared and conscious, never trained: this is how we can learn to deal with the good and bad things that afflict us.
Sometimes when we have been through a painful situation or period, we think that the most appropriate thing to do is to put back all our pieces in the best possible way, in the belief that they must always fit to cover our scars.
We want to move forward at all costs, unharmed from the pain we just went through, and we associate turning leaves and being strong by not showing any signs of weakness.
Western culture has much to learn from what Eastern philosophies teach us about this: Pain has no reason to be kept hidden; we must not associate the lack of pain with the maintenance of our self-esteem. Having gone through a difficult situation and overcoming it is a sign of pride and beauty.
When the Japanese repair broken objects, they pay homage to the damaged area by filling the cracks with gold. They believe that when something is damaged and has a history, it becomes more beautiful.
The traditional Japanese art of repairing broken ceramics with a strong glue that is then sprayed with gold dust is called kintsugi. The result is that the ceramic object not only is repaired, but also becomes stronger than the original.
Instead of trying to hide the cracks and defects, they are clarified and honored, because now they have become the strongest part of the object. Kintsukoroi is the Japanese term that describes the art of repairing with gold and silver lacquer, with the understanding that the object is more beautiful after being broken and repaired.
The idea is that when something valuable has broken, we should not hide its fragility or shortcomings, but rather repair it with something that shows the virtues of gold: strength, service, virtue…
We can not know what an emotional storm represents in our lives until we have completely escaped it and come back to life. There are even storms that appear again and again and do not completely disappear until we have managed to confront them and found protection under the assumption that the storm clouds will always appear, just like the sunshine.
Again, nature teaches us a true lesson: Nothing is immutable and infinite, no matter how calm and beautiful it may seem. Change is the only rule that seems to be fulfilled.
So the next time a storm comes , it is normal that you are scared… but despite this, you should try to face it. If it knocks you over and bruises you, do not take the pain with a passive or masochistic attitude; take it with a conscious and selective attitude.
The small details are the ones that reveal many things about yourself that you can use in the future. Maybe all these little bruises have shown you who and what has hurt you.
There are storms that are inevitable in this life. So when you’re already in them, you should let them drown you, so maybe you come up with cleaner ideas or new ideas that bring you back to life.
Pictures from Nathalie Suellen and Fairy Tales.
