Peeling back an onion is often used as an analogy for uncovering deeper truths, layer by layer. But I believe a better picture of this process is found in the artichoke. You see, an artichoke isn’t actually a vegetable—it’s the flower bud of a thistle, or in other words, a weed. Yes, a weed! And yet, inside this weed is something valuable. The artichoke consists of three protective layers, all designed to shield its heart. The thorns are the first line of defense. Sharp and uninviting, they keep anything from getting too close. They serve one purpose: to protect. Then come the bracts, the thick, impenetrable leaves that offer additional protection. But here’s the thing—when you peel back a bract, a small piece of the heart comes with it. The deeper you go, the more of the heart is exposed. And finally, there’s the choke. A tangled mass of hair-like fibers, the choke is the messiest and most time-consuming barrier to remove. But once it’s gone, all that remains is the heart—tender, valuable, and no longer hidden beneath layers of self-protection. We do the same thing in our own lives. We develop layers of self-protection, even thorns, to keep others