Scars

I was thinking about scars on my drive to my place earlier this week. Yes, it does seem as though I do some of my best thinking in my car, while the music plays in the background. This time it was The National’s new album.

Anyways, I was thinking about scars.

The scars we see.

The scars we don’t see.

The damage from those scars, whether it be physical or beneath the surface.

The triggers that bring pain to either type of scar.

The things we chose to share with others about the scars.

The things others assume based off what they can physically see, vs. what they can’t see.

The constant impact of all our scars on our lives.

Just like you, I have physical ones, that I see every day, and others that lie in wait under the surface.

Those that are triggered by what others chose to say or assume about me.

The sometimes, more dangerous ones, because no one can ever see those that lie in wait, including you, sometimes.

In any case, our scars tell our story, whether we want them to or not.

They have taught us things. Good things. Bad things. Some things we still don’t quite understand.

At times they narrate our story but other times we can control the narrative.

In any case, our scars make us stronger.

Regardless of if they look ugly or feel ugly to us.

They make us stronger.

So, embrace your scars.

It may take time, but here’s the thing, they aren’t going anywhere.