...and trauma had a way of burning memories deeper into the mind.

For pain must enter into its glorified life of memory before it can turn into compassion.

Even painful memories are ties that bind.

The deeper the feeling, the greater the pain

Pain has a way of making us more honest.

But who can remember pain, once it’s over? All that remains of it is a shadow, not in the mind even, in the flesh. Pain marks you, but too deep to see. Out of sight, out of mind.

I felt that I did not really remember her except through the pain, and I longed for the nails that riveted her to my consciousness to be driven yet deeper.

...just remember, darling, it is pain that changes our lives.

كلما كان الجرح أعمق, كان الألم أشد خصوصية .

How strange to think that great pain may be impermanent. Something in us all seems to want to carve it in granite, as if only this would do full honor to its terrible significance. But even pain is blessed with impermanence...
p 259

Pain + Reflection = Progress

...the past was so painful at any point. It seared and burned.

My painting carries with it the message of pain.

The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.