If you’ve ever had a splinter fester under your skin, you know the process can be as uncomfortable as it is miraculous. First, there’s the sting of intrusion, followed by swelling, redness, and inflammation. If the splinter is left unattended, the body begins to form pus—a painful but purposeful response. The inflammation isn’t the problem; it’s the body’s way of identifying the issue and mobilizing resources to expel it.
In many ways, the current state of the world—particularly the election frenzy and the polarization it seems to amplify—feels like humanity experiencing a massive, collective inflammatory response. The chaos and divisiveness may look like dysfunction, but what if it’s actually an essential part of the healing process?
Unintegrated Trauma as the Root Cause
Like a splinter beneath the skin, unresolved emotional trauma lies beneath much of the conflict we see in society. Generations of pain, injustice, and unmet needs have built up over time, creating layers of unprocessed hurt. These emotions don’t disappear; they’re stored in our collective psyche, waiting for a moment to surface.
Elections often act as a magnifying glass, illuminating these unintegrated traumas. They bring out the extremes in human behavior—fear, anger, desperation, and defensiveness—because they challenge our deepest values and beliefs. The inflammatory response we’re witnessing isn’t about political ideologies as much as it is about unresolved wounds surfacing for acknowledgment and healing.
The Splinter and the Pus
The inflammatory chaos we’re experiencing serves a purpose, just as the pus in a splinter does. It forces us to confront what’s buried beneath the surface—our fears, our biases, and our unwillingness to truly see one another. It’s messy, uncomfortable, and often painful, but it’s also the only way the deeper wound can come to light.
Just as the body fights to expel a splinter, humanity is fighting to bring these hidden traumas to the surface. The anger and polarization we see are symptoms, not the root cause. They’re pointing us to the deeper work that needs to be done—the work of integrating our collective pain and finding ways to heal, together.
How Do We Heal?
Healing from trauma—whether personal or collective—requires awareness, patience, and action. Here are a few ways we can begin to process what’s happening in a way that fosters growth instead of division:
Acknowledge the Wound
We can’t heal what we refuse to see. Recognizing that the divisiveness and chaos are symptoms of deeper, unresolved issues is the first step toward addressing them.
Hold Space for the Discomfort
Just as pus and swelling are uncomfortable but necessary for the body to heal, we must allow space for discomfort in these conversations. Healing isn’t neat, and it requires courage to sit with what’s uncomfortable.
Engage in Self-Reflection
Ask yourself: How do my own unhealed wounds show up in how I interact with others? What biases or fears am I bringing into these conversations?
Cultivate Compassion
Instead of reacting with defensiveness or judgment, try responding with compassion. Understand that others are likely acting from their own unprocessed pain, just as you might be.
Focus on the Bigger Picture
Elections, debates, and disagreements are transient. The deeper work is about creating a society where empathy, understanding, and shared humanity prevail.
Practice Grounding
When the world feels overwhelming, return to practices that anchor you in the present moment—yoga, breathwork, meditation, or simply spending time in nature. Staying grounded helps you respond rather than react.
The Opportunity in Chaos
While the current state of the world may feel overwhelming, it’s also an incredible opportunity. Just as the body’s inflammatory response clears the way for healing, the chaos we’re witnessing has the potential to pave the way for profound transformation.
The question is: Can we meet this moment with courage and curiosity? Can we look beyond the surface symptoms and address the deeper wounds that need our attention?
Healing isn’t easy, but it’s always worth it. The splinter may be painful, but once it’s removed and the wound begins to heal, we emerge stronger, clearer, and more connected than before.