When we’re hurt, our thoughts can take two paths. We can choose to think in a way that fuels our anger and desire for retaliation. Alternatively, we can choose to calm ourselves, tap into our compassion and understanding, and cultivate a peaceful mindset. This approach not only helps us recognize that the other person also suffers, and then our anger will dissipate.

…. We should all return to ourselves and care for the little boy or girl who inhabits the depths of our wounded souls. Then, we will be calmer, more understanding, and loving, and the environment will begin to change. Other people will benefit from our presence, and we can influence  them and our society.”

— Thich Nhat Hanh

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Me.

I don’t talk about politics with anyone; it’s personal for me, and joining the fray is not healthy or productive. I won’t label myself.

I remain happy and hopeful in my life. Some years ago, I gave up trauma, not by wishing it away but by working it away. There is such a thing as healing.

I do not need to hate or argue with anyone; life is too short.

For many people,  the election resulted in joy; for others, it was and is a trauma, a wound.

Thick Nhat Hanh suggests people who feel wounded or frightened recognize that as a trauma and treat it accordingly. Meditation does help, at least for me, and so does the idea of seeking out the wounded child and caring for them.

Trauma is an emotional response to a stressful or dangerous event that can harm a person’s sense of safety, self, and ability to regulate emotions.

A traumatic event can be a one-off incident, such as an accident, a violent attack, a sense of danger, threat, natural disaster, or an ongoing event, like bullying or sudden long-term illness.

People can experience a range of reactions after trauma, including feeling anxious, sad, or angry, having trouble concentrating and sleeping, and continuously thinking about what happened to them.

Untreated Trauma can have long-term effects, including unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships, and even physical symptoms like headaches or nausea. 

I experienced continuous trauma as a child, and I finally realized that I needed to take it seriously, to get help and treatment, to do what Hanh said, and to find the little boy who inhabits the depths of my wounded soul.

Anger and hatred do not heal.

Finding good things to do, helping people who had nowhere to go, and helping myself when I needed it worked, and I have gotten to a peaceful and meaningful place. I do good as often as possible and feel good whenever I do it.

Healing for me comes from within, not from outside. And talking to that little boy deep inside works still.

My work to build a spiritual life has helped me tremendously now. Helping other people has brought the most profound and most lasting healing. For me, it is the most powerful of medicines.

I don’t volunteer advice to people, but a friend who was frightened – traumatized, I thought, asked me for help. I had only one thing to say to him: help someone who needs it.

Trauma triggers helplessness, and doing good triggers purpose and meaning.

He did call me back to thank me. My God, he said, it worked.