Teen Ink

Like a birch tree, we all have a protective layering. We all put on some sort of show, some sort of facade, to brace ourselves against the unjust judgments, backstabbing, and attacks from other people,...(more »)

Like a birch tree, we all have a protective layering. We all put on some sort of show, some sort of facade, to brace ourselves against the unjust judgments, backstabbing, and attacks from other people, just as a birch tree must brace itself against the elements, animals who might like to eat it, harmful insects, and other dangers. But as much as we try to maintain this barrier between our true selves and the rest of the world, it will eventually break. It will become too old and someone will find out how to crack it. It might start to peel back on its own. It might become outdated, its techniques becoming void as other people's protection grows stronger and faster than ours, which can subsequently no longer protect us. Whatever the case may be, our "outer layer of bark" won't last forever. This is the point where we often find ourselves fighting tooth and nail to keep our old ways. We try to mend them, we try to defend them, we try to ignore the fact that they are peeling away, leaving us feeling vulnerable and exposed. But under the peeling bark on a birch tree we find beautiful, light new wood that seems full of new life and new energy that will be able to protect the tree better than ever before. Likewise, if we let go of what used to work, what used to protect us but no longer does, we may find a world of new possibilities. All the energy that we had been spending fighting to keep something that, although familiar, was no longer working, can now be put to other uses. We look and feel refreshed. And maybe, just maybe, we can get a new perspective on things. :)« read less