by Lorelei Cohen

Created on: April 24, 2009   Last Updated: June 11, 2010

It seems that the more experiences we have that come between us, and a tragic event in our lives, than the closer we come to healing from the traumatic emotions experienced during that event. This ability for time to diminish hurts could be because the new memories that we acquire are able to slowly and steadily become clearer within our mind than our older memories. Or it could be that our older memories no longer seem as relevant to our lives as our newer experiences are. Whatever the reasoning is, it is very reassuring to believe that for the majority of individuals, time really is an amazingly great healer.

So long as a person does not spend the remainder of their life dwelling on a past traumatic event, then emotional healing should occur, and time will eventually heal the emotional scars incurred in the past. How much time is required for the healing process will depend on the resilience of the individual involved and the degree of trauma that they have with stood.

Healing will definitely be easier, and take less time for those individuals with a strong sense of optimism, and a healthy outlook on life. Those individuals having a large and supportive network of family and friends to help and encourage the recovery process will also be more likely to have a faster healing process. Even just having individuals around to discuss, and rationalize issues, can keep a person focused on the things that truly matter most in life.

As time passes the individual begins to focus on small enjoyments within life again, like the pleasure they receive from their first cup of coffee in the morning, or the taste sensation of a well prepared meal at a local restaurant. A conversation with a loved one, or simply the wonderful feeling of the warm sunshine on them when they are out for a walk, and these new experiences begin to be enjoyable memories within their mind. The new experiences begin to blanket the older memories. The more time and positive experiences that pass by, the further that person will distance themselves from the past, and the more that they will begin to associate themselves with the present.

Time does heal most wounds. We just have to help it along a little.

Talk about the past with those that you trust, attempt to understand the events that occurred, but don't dwell there. Pull yourself out of that area and get on with the many tiny processes of life and living. Pamper yourself to enjoyable experiences. Amuse your mind with books, games, challenges and the enjoyment of friends and family. Keep your body fit with a new form of exercise; walk, learn yoga, swim or dance.

Force yourself to go on living, and at some point in time you will discover that instead of just going through the motions, you really are living. It just takes time and the correct usage of that time.

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