The rose is beautiful and it has thorns. Like the rose, my inner beauty may be protected by thorns. Ego patterns such as anger, fear and mistrust have protected the soul from being hurt. When I recognize that I cannot be hurt by anyone or anything I can begin to give up these limiting ego protections. As a soul, I can never be destroyed. And as a feeling, thinking being, I will only be hurt if I accept pain from others. When I choose not to accept pain, I can no longer be hurt and I no longer need to protect myself with ego’s barbs. Today let me show myself as a beautiful rose and clip the thorns of ego.