Our skin, the largest organ of our body. It protects us from the elements as well as helping with our body temperature. If one has ever cut down a tree you have noticed the protective layer of the bark. Also an insulator as well as a protector of nutrients that flow up the trunk. Damage the bark significantly and you see a scar for the rest of the tree’s life. Even our brain has a protective outer layer called dura mater, “tough mother.” The protection of many animals, trees, plants and even insects have protective outer layers to escape predators as well as protection from the elements. What about our emotions, our soul, our spirit? What is the protective layer of our emotions? Is it any wonder that paramedics, police officers, and those in active combat become calloused or to the contrary do not, and suffer PTSD, post traumatic stress disorder. It IS our very perception of self, combined with experience and our success, as well as failure that protects our soul our living spirit. When met with repetitious life trauma, emotional devastation repeatedly we may weaken, however this is also the process that develops character.
The outer layer that protects our spirit, our soul, our emotional demeanor is our perception of life and how we chose to handle it. Nothing more, nothing less. Why the surge on self help books, the quest for the “right” religion, the need to question our belief versus listening to a loved one try and convince us to accept a certain religious paradigm. When pushed to the limit of stress. When we feel we are ready to break. When the emotion upheaval is so heavy upon our ability to cope, we may rely on others to converse. When we hang up the phone, leave the therapy session or begin to walk our walk of life….in the end it is always “YOU” that goes to bed at night when the covers are tucked up under your chin. Recognize the protective layer is your perception, your attitude, your belief. It is the make or break in terms of happiness and success when dealing with stress and life trauma. If one has a shattered or weak perception of self, it takes minimal understanding to see one shaken, one rattled and disoriented on which path to take.
We sometimes over compensate and build a very calloused layer to protect the wounded soul. The emotional bark becomes thicker and at times impenetrable. It is up to us to soften the outer layer with time, personal growth and trusting others. Yes, it takes time. Sometimes, like the tree hit by lightning, the scar remains and rears it’s ugly head in the form of anger, tears, or condescending behavior. Sarcasm, the wonderful defense to softness. It is humorous, but when used frequently is a defense mechanism to avoid. The avoidance of closeness. I know few people that would want to hug a hawthorn tree with it’s wooden barbs emitting out from the trunk as if it were a Medieval weapon. Humans can grow these thorns as well as remove them. We have the opportunity to become guarded and protective. We also have the ability to let the guard down and become soft and giving. The balance. Ah, the balance. Humans must learn and understand their own protective layer. The skin of their soul. The bark around their spirituality. It is important to protect ourselves, however too much protection and we live emotionally lonely lives, where we can rationalize our very existence. We can convince ourselves we are happy, when we are not.
Understand the importance of your protective layer and how it changes with certain individuals. Decide how you want to live. Maybe you need to be more protective of your soul and just maybe you need to open up and become more vulnerable. Either way, recognize the protective layer and your responsibility in owning it.
