Does Time Really Heal All Wounds?

I'm guessing that nearly every one of us have heard the old adage, "Time Heals All Wounds." Yet, does "time" itself really have healing properties? From the multiple interactions I have had with our bereaved family members and friends over the years, I would beg to differ. I would submit it is what you do with the time that determines whether your wounds heal or if they become infected. Think about it from a medical perspective. If you have a serious physical wound on your body, does "time" alone heal the wound? The obvious answer to that question is "no." If you do not properly clean and treat the wound, chances are good that time will only allow the wound to become infected, instead of healing properly on its own. Why would we assume that a “heart wound” would heal automatically due to time?
So, if time doesn’t heal all wounds, do they make Neosporin for the heart? Well, sadly, there is not a simple, topical remedy for a “heart wound” (if you were to invent one, you would be an instant millionaire). Yet, that does not mean there is no treatment for your wound. Just like with physical wounds, a vast majority of them can be treated by the wounded individual himself/herself, without professional intervention. However, there are some “heart wounds” which will need the help of a grief professional, due to the severity of the wound.
Be patient with yourself. Realize that just as a serious physical wound does not heal overnight, neither will a heart wound. Make sure that you take care of yourself physically—(1) Appropriate amount of sleep; (2) Proper nutrition and hydration; (3) Exercise—if you can be approved by a physician to do such. Be mindful of your emotional health as well and realize that you may experience many emotions at once. If spirituality is important to you, this might be a time in which you pursue your faith tradition more diligently before. Taking care of yourself physically, emotionally and spiritually will go a long ways in giving you the resources you will need to help your “heart wound” heal properly.
If you need further assistance or possibly some ideas for healing your heart, please contact Kim at 504-734-0140 or via e-mail at stjosephnober@yahoo.com.

Copyright © 2014 by Kim Smith