The Wisdom of Open Hands by Kais

The Wisdom of Open Hands by Kais - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

Having fallen, I remind myself: "Strength lies in feeling, flexibility, openness, and renewal."

Right before my vehicle was struck, I tensed, breathless. This tension made the crash more severe. Whiplash arose not merely from contact but from useless resistance. My anxiety equated to guilt and fear. I repressed sobs, clamped down my jaw, and battled panic. Tension did more damage, capturing pain and inhibiting healing. My lesson? Take deep breaths. Welcome shock, fear, loss. Rigidity disappears; bendability endures.

"Open your hands" meant openness. Closed fists did not accept assistance. Overwhelmed, I backed away. Receiving assistance constituted failure: a blanket off someone, my sister's therapy, and counseling. My protection prevented closeness. Opening my hands meant letting go of false power for empathy. Vulnerability creates healing. Real power is saying, "I'm not all right, and I need you."

Recovery depends upon tolerance, not protection. I had avoided freeways, distrusted motorcycles, and remained in "safe" spots, believing this was protective. Instead, it caused pain avoidance. Recovery necessitated tolerating uncertainty, not constructing barriers. Physical therapy allowed me to relearn movement safely. Recovery from trauma equates to confronting fear, not freezing. Getting back in my truck gave me my confidence, not by denying threats, but by increasing my abilities to handle them. Open-handedness applies anywhere. There are shocks in life. I used to think that strength meant toughness. But now I realize that one has to be pliable, pass bruises, and accept assistance. A fragile thing breaks, but a strong tree faces tempests. I wish I had realized that earlier.