Been hurt Quote by Henri Nouwen
“Think of each wound as you would of a child who has been hurt by a friend. As long as that child is ranting and raving, trying to get back at the friend, one wound leads to another. But when the child can experience the consoling embrace of a parent, she or he can live through the pain, return to the friend, forgive, and build up a new relationship. Be gentle with yourself, and let your heart be your loving parent as you live your wounds through.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Return of the Prodigal Son, Henri Nouwen, 1992
Healing requires self‑compassion; treating personal pain like a child needing a parent’s comfort allows forgiveness and growth.
In simple terms: Be kind to yourself to heal.
Key Takeaway
Practice self‑compassion.
Themes
self‑compassion
healing
forgiveness
relationships
Mood
reflective
hopeful
Type
advice
inspirational
When to use this quote
- therapy sessions
- personal crisis
- conflict resolution
- grief counseling
Key Concepts
psychology
empathy
attachment theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you become your own compassionate parent?
- What steps help you move from pain to forgiveness?
A Different Perspective
Self‑compassion alone may not resolve deep trauma without external support.
![“I've been lonely for so long. And I've been hurt so deeply. If only I could have met you again a long time ago, then I wouldn't have had to take all these detours to get here.' Tengo shook his head. 'I don't think so. This way is just fine. This is exactly the right time. For both of us. [...] We…” quote by Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3fe/haruki-murakami-21_been-hurt_i-ve-been-lonely-for-so-long-and-i-ve-be_219933.jpg)
