Emotional Wounds vs Physical Wounds

Welcome to the Village! 

Hello and a warm welcome to the We Are The Village community! I'm genuinely excited to see you join us today. As we embark on this journey together, let's delve into a crucial topic that often remains hidden beneath the surface - emotional wounds. 

Emotional Wounds Require Attention! 

Emotional wounds are no different from physical wounds; both demand our attention. To illustrate, let's consider a scenario involving our children - the most precious part of our lives. 

Imagining the Unseen Wound: 

Imagine your child has a cut on their hand, but for some reason, they don't disclose it to you, and you, unfortunately, don't notice it. As time passes, an infection sets in. When you finally see the cut, your attempt to address it with a Band-Aid and a well-meaning comment like "there, that should feel better", or "boys can take a little cut" falls short. The wound goes untreated properly, and the child is in extreme pain, the child begins to seek attention through various means - Screaming, yelling, refusing to sleep alone. No longer are our attention on the cut. We now are focused on the behavior. The same process happens with our emotions. A trauma happens, the child either does not share it with you, or you miss it. They begin acting out, goofing off, or resorting to substances like drugs and alcohol. The confusion intensifies as you're puzzled by the child's behavior, and unintentionally, you focus on the actions rather than the underlying wound; the abuse, the loss, the disappointment. 

The Cycle Continues: 

Unfortunately, the wound remains unattended, and the child grows up emotionally "damaged." As an adult, they unconsciously spread their pain to others, hoping to be noticed, cared for, or healed. Now, let's stop imagining and reflect on our own experiences. 

Vulnerability Moment (Mom to Mom): 

Taking a moment to reflect on our own wounds is vital. What wounds came to mind? For me, it was the first loss I encountered. I was at the funeral of my grandmother, I think, on my dad's side for sure. The big emotions displayed there were a mix of scary and confusing for my young mind. People were screaming over the casket, which was my first time seeing that too. 

Then years later my aunt died on my mom's side. And the experience was completely different. Although people were crying, it was not the same. I became even more confused and even more scared. Why did it matter more to some that one person passed but not as much for another? Where were they going, is that why they were crying more with the first, was she going to Hell? All my questions remained unanswered. I went on to lose classmates each year from Ith grade on, still no clarity. WHen my son was 9, his football teammate and his brother who also played football for the same league just a grade level up from their Team age. They were murdered over spring break and instead of trying to answer all the questions I had as a child, I left him just as confused. When we had our first major death in my son's lifetime within our family, I did the same as my mother, I ignored him. I unknowingly let his emotional wound fester and when the next major death came he responded the same as I did. Repeating the generational response to untreated wounds. 

Recognizing that emotional wounds, like physical wounds, need attention, let's explore the implications. What do wounds look like? Death, divorce, physical punishment without 

explanation, pushing a child beyond their limits, unexplained unavailability, relocation, or having a grandparent raise them, to name a few. 

Symptoms and Unseen Bleeds: 

To understand emotional wounds better, let's draw parallels with physical symptoms. Just like an internal bleed, emotional wounds manifest symptoms - bruising (manifesting as crying or sadness), unexplained exhaustion, blurred vision (altered perspectives), general weakness, confusion, memory loss, and numbness. 

The Importance of Examination: 

In physical injuries, doctors thoroughly examine wounds. However, with emotional wounds, we often skip this crucial step. If emotional wounds go unattended, they spread into self-feeling "ignored," leading to beliefs like "I am not enough." 

Visible Signs and Impacts: 

If left untreated, emotional wounds result in visible signs - depression, altered vision, and silence. Just as internal bleeds can lead to organ failure, unattended emotional wounds can block chakras, resulting in spiritual unbalance. 

Living Fully: 

To live fully, we must recognize and treat emotional wounds. Life offers self-healing, and infusing love and compassion into wounds is akin to the transfusion of blood. Stimulation and experiences in life act as stimulants, promoting self-growth. Seeking treatment, therapy, or a spiritual awakening is the surgery required for deep emotional healing. 

Conclusion: 

Emotional wounds, left untreated, can lead to unconsciousness, spreading pain through generations. We must equip ourselves with tools to identify and heal these wounds. Notice your 

emotions, acknowledge their impact, and treat the wounds with the love and compassion we all deserve. 

Tools for Healing: 

1. Notice Your Emotions: Anything other than harmony implies a wound. 

2. Consider the Impact: If you're affected, your child is too, or will be. 

3. Treat the Wound: Do not ignore it; treat it with love and compassion or how you would want to be treated. 

In closing, thank you for being a part of our Village. Your journey towards healing and growth begins here, and I look forward to sharing more insights with you soon! 

Check out our Podcast on Emotional Wounds vs. Physical Wounds 

It Takes a Village, We Are The Village - Teen Moms 

Namaste