How are you doing, right now? I hope you’re OK and that the day is going easy on you. But, as you are human, you may be having a tough time, struggling with some kind of pain or anguish. And if that’s the case, let me start by sending you some love and warmth and I hope you feel better soon.

If you are struggling, one of the hardest things might be the feeling that it will never get better. I think this is especially true of depression (because everything seems very negative and hopeless when we’re depressed), but can be the case with any kind of suffering, mental or physical.

This thought came to me this morning, after an early trip to see my osteopath – a kind and brilliant man called George. Since he has been treating me, I have had two acutely painful episodes: one a nasty back flareup and the other a decidedly-not-fun rib injury, which I am currently overcoming.

And I realised today that I had fallen into the trap of thinking/feeling the ribs would never get better, despite all of George’s sterling work and my daily rehab/exercise programme – I have had this problem for over a month now. But, you know what, after my treatment it is feeling better today. I think, finally, we are on an upward trajectory and I can see the end in sight. No more sore ribs, which will be blissful (rib injuries are not great, let me tell you! Laughing hurts. Sleeping hurts. Coughing hurts. Breathing hurts).

This too shall pass

My (hopefully) healing ribs reminded me of that somewhat over-used but still brilliant piece of wisdom, ‘This too shall pass’. A quick Google tells me that this stems from a fable written by Persian Sufi poets, but whoever said it first, they captured something vital for us all – as I am always saying to my clients and when teaching Heal Your Trauma events, no matter what you went through, however bad it was, it’s never too much and never too late to heal.

This applies as much to backs and ribs as it does traumatic experiences in childhood, episodes of acute panic and anxiety, depression, or whatever you might be struggling with right now. It may not seem like it, but it will pass. You will get better. The anxiety will ease, your mood will lift, your ribs will stop hurting.

And you may need help from your very own George (everybody needs a George, I think), from me or another therapist, from wise writers and teachers, yoga instructors, mentors, friends, partners and loving family members. But whatever you are struggling with right now, remember: this too shall pass.

Sending you love and warm, healing thoughts,

Dan