I learned years ago as I watched ash fall like rain on my back patio in Colorado that trees can burn from the inside out. The heat gets so intense that it goes through the bark. The soft center of the tree captures all that heat and eventually explodes from it’s intensity. 

There are things that can save the tree, even if it starts to burn from the inside out. Moisture, of course. The trees themselves have also evolved to survive fire threats in these dry areas. It’s an eerie scene to drive these winding roads staring at walls of black pine trees. Everywhere I’ve been seems to be on fire. You can take that literally or metaphorically; there’s a lot to dissect right now. 

Ever since 2020, I’ve watched people burn from the inside out too. The aftermath is not as obvious as the wall of black trees. You can’t just stare at them and know. Instead, it’s a collective sigh in the company of good friends. A weariness written all over their face. A deep exhaustion that can only be acknowledged with a mutual understanding. 

I have yet to speak to anyone this year that isn’t carrying a bit of that burn. We can’t help it. We’re all forever changed by everything changing. Today, we hold it in and hide the truth. Pretend everything is OK. Especially at work as uncertainty looms in - at least what feels like - every way. 

But thankfully, just like the trees, people are adapting to prevent this burn out. We watch videos of dogs and scroll to take the edge off. We lean into each other to protect our roots. Is it always healthy? Maybe not. But with a little help and acknowledgment that we can’t always be at our best, we can figure out how to function in a world where everything is burning. 

Just don’t wait until the fire is at your door to do something different.