Scars, we likely have them on our body. I’ve got more than a few. One from a barbwire fence. Another from gravel being dug out of my arm. A good one on my arm that shows itself when I’ve got a little bit of a tan. An excellent one on my back from a motorcycle accident. Lastly, a nice one where I a had a piece of skin removed from my chest. There are others.
Scars Are Representations
All these blemishishes, seams, are representations of a life lived. I have to admit that I’m slightly suspicious of somebody who has no scars on their body. I’m not confident that they’ve engaged in life. There are good scars and there are bad ones, two stories to be told.
Good Scar
I have a friend that was self-conscious of his open-heart surgery incision until it was reframed. The scar wasn’t a sign of a weak heart but it was the mark of a strong mind. A mind that was willing to engage the signals that were being sent to it, to intelligently say, “This is bad!” and he didn’t wait. Because of that, he is still a husband and he is still a father. He is leaving none of them behind with an empty void that would have been his life.
Bad Scar
Sitting on the porch of a cabin overlooking a lake I looked at the mark on an acquaintance’s leg. It was big. “What happened?” I asked pointing to his leg. He got quiet and insisted it wasn’t worth talking about. This was his way of saying without stating clearly it was the result of a stupid act.
I can assume that there are regrets attached to good scars and bad scars. But without exception, lessons are attached. So here is your action. Go ahead and itemize some of your scars, if you choose. List the story behind that scar to yourself so that you can present it to others.
Lessons Learned
If it’s a negative attachment the lesson learned can be a good lesson even if its beginnings were bad. You know a warning to others, a cautionary tale, or the refraining of something rather bad.
You are wearing that scar and you are going to wear it until the day you die so maybe you might want to make it useful. Know its story or in some instances, the warning.
Want to tattoo over your scar? Here is some information: Can You Get a Tattoo Over a Scar?
Here is a little more positive mental attitude: Cultivating a Life
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