Branches, in many ways, are like people. A tree has one trunk, and extending out from it are many branches, which are all beautiful in their own unique way. Every person has many different qualities, some overlapping, some conflicting, yet all beautiful. Just like a tree, which sometimes has oddly shaped branches, the beauty of a person is often found in his quirks and oddities. But what would happen if you went over to a tree and started hacking away at all the “imperfect” branches? You would end up mutilating the tree, and what would you be left with? A pile of wood, good only for burning.
In many ways, a person is like that. If there is a part of a person that you don’t like, then you can’t just get rid of it! Like a tree, if you would merely try to get rid of the traits you don’t like, you would end up ruining the person and taking away their individuality! Just as each individual tree grows in its own direction, so too each person is an individual who can’t be squeezed into a mold of who you want them to be. Every person needs his own room to grow and blossom into the person he has the potential to.
And if there is a tree that has a serious deformation that could really destroy it, would you just take an axe and chop it off? No! You would take special pruning shears, and every so carefully and gently trim it off. And so, next time you feel like chopping off a branch, you must first decided whether it’s really necessary, and if it is, do it gently, carefully, and temper it with love.
The above article was originally posted on Maidelle.com, an online magazine for Jewish teen girls to speak their mind. Check out the site and read more articles and poetry submitted by girls worldwide who made the choice to use their voice.
