As a child the slightest scratch would have me howling to my Mum to “GET THE BANDAIDS AND DON’T LET ME SEE IT.”
I didn’t want to see the source of my pain.
I would then want the bandaid left on for days, until any hint of pain went away.
My Mum knew a soggy, dirty cut needs to be investigated and cleaned and may also need air to help dry and heal.
She would then say to me “Karen, covering things up and ignoring them won’t help them get better, lets look at this together.”
Now, before we go on I will say thank you to my Mum, one hundred times over, for using the inevitable ‘bandaid removal moment’ so wisely. I know it has taken me a while, and some not so great experiences along the way, to begin taking your advice.
Like the time when I sliced a piece of skin from the top of my finger while making pumpkin soup. Refusing to take a good look, I wrapped my throbbing hand in a towel and kept cooking.
I then layered several bandaids over it and the next day, as the throbbing pain increased, I took a Panadol to keep on trucking.
I had a sneaking suspicion the wound was getting worse and yet I stubbornly refused to investigate.
I DIDN’T WANT TO SEE IT.
What I could feel, and not see, was an infection spreading to my hand.
Eventually I wisened up, and asked for help.
A quick visit to the doctor (to look at it together), some great advice, antibiotics, antiseptic cream, breathable dressings and I was good to go.
Within a day the cut began to heal.
Not unlike using endless bandaids to cover up a physical cut you can discover many ways to cover your emotional pain.
I know because I do that too…….afraid of what I may feel and what I may discover.
It all starts with a frustrated, dissatisfied feeling.
It is nothing specific and yet each day, each week you can feel the discontent building.
You find moments of relief as you whinge and complain to a sympathetic ear.
Yet deep down the source of the pain, the emotional wound, is festering and spreading into other areas of your life.
The pain is a signal and it is begging to be exposed and investigated.
It is a blessing and an opportunity to pause, to realign and to make a change before you stray too far off your own path.
As my Mum would cleverly say ‘Covering things up won’t help them get better, now let’s ease that bandaid off and take a look’.
Get curious and brutally honest.
Ask yourself::
What do you struggle with?
What do you complain about?
What areas of your life are you least satisfied with?
What do you truly want to change?
Now take some action……What is one thing you can do to begin to make this change and when can you do that?
This is YOUR one great life and it is up to YOU to take the lead.
Need help:: If this has in anyway left you searching for more and you would like to discuss your frustrations in a safe, trusted and confidential manner I urge you to contact me today.
I offer a FREE phone or Skype discovery session that will help you take a careful peak under the bandaid.
Simply email me karen@karenmain.com.au
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