Trimming the Tree

We each decorate our inner worlds

With the things that run through our minds

Those sometimes random thoughts become

The ornaments with which our treas of self-concept are decorated

We don't always see each ornament

But we see the tree itself

As an overarching concept

Not even realizing what adorns it

We can go our whole lives without examining this tree

Or we can look at it mindfully

And decide for ourselves which decorations to keep

And which to toss in the trash

We can even decide what new decorations go on the tree

We can carefully redecorate our trees

With affirmations and words of encouragement

With thoughts about ourselves that are gentle and loving

And with the curated opinions of the people who love us most

For theirs should be the brightest baubles