A wound is the place where the light enters you
Someone once said to me “never trust someone that doesn’t walk with a limp”, this sounded harsh to me at the time but over the years I have come to see the wisdom behind this statement.
As we go through life it is impossible to avoid the bumps and cuts that life brings us and as we grow older we start to look back on those moments as the times when we got an understanding of something, or insight into other people’s situations, hence the title of this blog, the point at which light enters. If we spend our lives avoiding difficult situations or wrap ourselves in cotton wool so that we remain untouched by life’s challenges our view on the world and others remains narrow and small. It is through the process of pain that we grow. Talk to any bodybuilder and they will be sure to explain in detail what that feels like.
So what does it mean to walk with a limp?
People who limp carry with them a memory of the wound, this handled correctly brings with it caution, understanding and experience, 3 things that lead to wisdom.
Often our ego gets in the way of good perspective and it usually takes the person with a managed ego to have the best viewpoint.
A favourite author of mine, Richard Rohr wrote in his book ‘Falling upwards’ that suffering is the bridge from 1st stage of life to 2nd stage. The concept of 2 stages of life is becoming a popular view and seeks to explain the difference between a view of life defined by Black & White, solid lines and absolutes from the 2nd stage which is far more nuanced, with dotted lines and a variety of colours. Where life is more about Life & Death than right or wrong.
I grew up very much a child of the 1st stage and surrounded by adults that hung on to that way of thinking right into their old age. It was frowned upon to question the narrative or accept the possibility of an alternative view. It took a great deal of pain before I was able to finally break out of the one-stage and find myself in the second. The wound of life brought light into my being.
When you’re going through it
If you are going through a time of pain, discomfort or confusion then I encourage you to view it as an opportunity to allow light in. Start by asking WHAT questions rather than WHY questions. What could this be teaching me about me, about life, or about the world around me? Give yourself time to feel the pain of the situation rather than escape it. Allow your mind to be curious and questioning, even dare to question the things you have held as true up to now.
Be patient and allow the process of enlightenment to take place. Wisdom is not something that happens in a moment but sneaks up on us over time.
Find others who limp to be around
You become the average of the top 5 people you spend your time with. This statement has been proved over and over again, stop for a moment and think about your life and the lives of those you call friends. Actively choosing people who limp is a key step to gaining a broader perspective. Take time to listen to people’s conversations, the ones that have a limp ask questions while those who don’t make statements. Remain curious and open, seek out people from different walks of life, who believe different things, and you will be amazed at how much you actually have in common.
May we remain curious, open and hungry to grow