Reflecting on the topic of balm brings me to memories from childhood when I would fall off the jungle gym or take a spill from my bike and one of my parents would come to my aid with soothing words and a Band-aid. There wasn’t even a question as to whether or not this should be done; it simply was. Body and spirit immediately tended so that I could pick myself up and carry on.

That got more complicated as I got older. As a teen, I would ignore scrapes and bruises (often to my parents’ great chagrin) and they would, naturally, take longer to heal. This was also when I started to become keenly aware of an entirely new category of injury. Mean words that could crack a heart. Sharp critiques that could internally bruise. Silent gestures of dismissal that could flatten self esteem.

All of this conspired, as it does for all of us in unique ways, to organize into a particular internal calculus for addressing those invisible injuries. For me, repression and perfectionism were more than happy to take up residence and manage these situations. Defense mechanisms covering up the wound, rather than ministering to it. Methods made stronger with time and repetition.

Hence this piece. A reminder that part of our work is to double back and take care of those old wounds when they rise again to the surface. Proactively salve them with love and intention. Apply balm as often as needed until we feel a shift, come in contact with the tremendous sense of relief that accompanies true healing.  

::

balm
_

carefully
and
intentionally
applied
to cracks
exposed and susceptible
large swaths
singed and tender
even the
smallest
of owies that
left too long
will fester
and grow
into something
much more
difficult to overcome
 
actively seek
every
possible
outlet for repair
 
mend with
hugs and laugher
art and song
grass and grappa
stars and
slivers of moon
 
suture with
truth well-spoken
apology previously avoided
olive branches
peace offerings
all manner of
bridge extended
to close
unnecessary distance
 
soothe with
trust
hope
faith firmly placed
prayers
not of religion
but belief in
the triumph of good
the presence of miracle
amidst mundane
 
work in
thoroughly
with vigor and
benevolent
single-mindedness
a crow’s flight approach
to removing
what is rotten
or obscuring
promoting
new growth
through
exfoliation and
exultation
 
medicine to both
cleanse and comfort
made to withstand
the brashness of life
counterbalance
scars etched by
the passage of time
 
the balm
an amalgam of
everything you
choose to do
in the face of
daunting odds