When I was younger, I had to bite my finger at times when I've unintentionally hurt myself — it was something wise my dad had read out loud once that has always stuck with me.

So I bite myself — until I was only thinking of the numbing sting of my teeth against my finger.

Erasing one pain away, by focusing on the other.

Do remember that time we both had to get anti-tetanus shots after playing with rusty nails in your backyard, and you did something quite similar?

I was scared and crying, because I didn't want to be pierced by a needle five times in a row. So you held my hand, and dug your nails on my palm so I can focus on the string you brought rather than the shots being injected into my arm.

It sounds quite similar to something you've been doing.

But you already know that, right?