Serendipity

Healing sounds simple in theory. We all carry wounds from life, from the struggles of figuring things out without knowing the hurt it would leave behind. Eventually, we reach a point where we can say to ourselves, “It’s time to heal.” But what does that really mean? Where do we even start?

The honest truth is, I don’t know. I’m still on this journey myself. Healing isn’t something purely physical or mental—it’s also profoundly spiritual. When we begin to heal our bodies and minds, it often opens the door for something deeper to heal within us too. I believe we need faith for this. Faith doesn’t have to be tied to religion, but it’s essential; it’s what gives life meaning. Faith is what drives us forward, what keeps us from getting lost in despair when progress feels slow. Without it, we’re left with a question that haunts many who have lost faith: “If this journey means nothing, why do we keep going?”

What I’ve come to understand about healing is that it’s far from continuous. Healing stalls, sometimes for long periods, and this is often when people abandon it, feeling it’s useless. And this is where faith matters most—when it becomes that small, insistent voice in the back of your mind, saying, “Keep going. Don’t give up. It’ll be okay.” Real healing, I believe, comes from facing the darkest parts of ourselves, those parts we’re afraid to confront.

For me, my faith was found in those around me. My wife and her sisters weren’t just family; they were my lifeline. At times, they felt like sisters, even daughters. I loved and raised them in my own way. When I lost faith in myself, they became my reason to keep going. When my own healing seemed to stop, their presence gave me the strength to continue. I had to heal—not just for myself, but for them. They needed me, and I needed to be whole enough to be there for them.

I began this journey of healing around 21. I’m now 32 and still on the path. Some days are a struggle, but I see now how healing has allowed me to build healthier relationships, to be a safe person for those I love. I’m still healing, but I know now that faith is necessary, whether it’s rooted in religion or not.

Healing has taught me this: You may never fully escape the wounds you carry, but with time, the scars become a part of you. They shape the life you choose to build. So, find your faith—whatever it may be. Let it guide you on your journey, knowing that healing is not about erasing the past but about creating a future where you feel whole.