Popular Posts

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Battle Scars

"What does not kill you, makes you stronger..."
We've heard that before. Quite a few times actually. But then again, what is it about these incidents that makes us stronger? The answer is undoubtedly battle scars and how they strengthen us.

How do we react to a recent adversity?
Most of us choose to seek sympathy and support from our loved ones and move ahead in life.
In my opinion, this is like applying a soothing balm on the wounds. In time to come, the would will heal.

Some choose to take such events like a part and parcel of life and hence do not make a big deal out of it. They ponder over what went wrong and quickly move on ahead.
In my opinion, this is like letting one's body heal the wound by itself. In time to come, the would will heal.

A select few among us carry on as if the incident never happened. They treat it like all in a day's work.
In my opinion, this is like being so focused on the target that the wounds inflicted on the body do not even get noticed. A footballer sometimes shakes off an injury to go on and score a goal. Anil Kumble once bowled with a bandage keeping his injured lower jaw from falling off his face. A soldier fires and only after the battle does he realize many of the numerous wounds he has suffered in the day. In time to come, the wound will heal.

In all the above cases, the end result is the same. Wounds heal. What is important is that the way you treat these wounds determines how much stronger you have become.

"What does not kill you, makes you stronger."

The ones who relied on loved ones for support have become stronger but also emotionally dependent (upto some extent) on others.

The ones who gave it a little thought but were brisk to move on have become stronger in the sense that they would look before they leap the next time.

The ones who never saw the wounds because they were too focused on their goals have become the strongest of the lot. For the others, wounds were temporary hurdles that were overcome. Hats off to the ones who never noticed wounds as they were engrossed in their targets. For them, the wounds incurred while attaining their dreams are mementos of their accomplishments. This is how battle scars are gained. Every mark, physical or mental, is a trophy to be cherished and to be proud of.