What’s the Truth?

Above all, don’t lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love

Fyodor Dostoevsky

What is Your Truth Anyway?

I have noticed that there is an emphasis in many societies concerning selfcare, self-awareness and self-love. However, when you or someone says, “live your truth”, do we really know what this means? One crucial component of living your truth many will say is to be yourself. Yes we can say be ourselves but many people do not know who they are . I am sure that there are some who are reading this who have to pause and consider. Who am I? Some of you may use the labels of wife, , father, manager, doctor ect that society has bestowed on you but that is not where I am trying to go here. When I say, my name is Simone, Who am I really saying I am? Leta Stevens, a wellness coach says, to live your truth, means following your heart. But what if what’s in your heart is unacceptable to many, how brave will you be to do it anyway? The point I’m trying to make here is that living your truth may not be as easy as saying it and doing it.

Truth is Stranger Than Fiction

Have you ever lied by telling the truth? confused? consider this then: someone is asked are you doing what you need to and the response, ” well I have started”. It could be they have, but what they have started may have nothing to do with what they need to do. Therefore, another thing that may be preventing us from living our truth is that we are dishonest. We wake up everyday, live our lives and lie to ourselves. We focus so much sometimes on being in the right, being recognised for doing what is good, but we do not acknowledge that half the things we do are to impress others. One of the things I heard recently is the notion that in giving we are selfish. We do good sometimes because at the end of it all we hope to gain recognition or an award. We hope to be validated and it is a battle for us to do and not expect a reward; even a thank you. We often are painted the picture that in living your truth, there will be a drastic change for the better. And we learn the hard way that taking that direction may bring many challenges and defeats; even betrayals from those closest to us ( 1 Peter 4:4 Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you ). All that is drastic yes but initially or ever, do we see these as better than what was. We do not acknowledge that the world may see our truth as lies maybe because they are or because it does not align with the script on this worldly stage we were handed at birth. There are also many people we admire for having done wonderful things and gaining international recognition while living their truth. However, we may be surprised at how many minor fictitious roles having been buried beneath those polished images. Sometimes the truth for many is stranger than fiction (Lord Byron Don Juan 1823)and therefore while we feel we are operating in our truth, the truth is we may not be doing so. In order to live your truth you have to know your truth -not someone else’s – and embrace the good and the bad as being a part of you.

There is Freedom in the Truth

It’s so much easier to lie about the truth than it is to be honest. And let’s be honest, some people cannot handle the truth, no matter how much they tell you they can. It takes a lot of courage to live your truth because not all of who we are will be pleasing to others or even ourselves. We will constantly be faced with the need to revisit what our truth is because it will be challenged. The truth is that we will be uncertain many times about the direction we should follow, because we do not know. We may not know who we are and for the reminder of our lives we have to reaffirm this. But where is our source? I suggest that we try to be like that Samaritan woman at the well (St. John 4:5-42). Let us be truthful, open and honest about all aspects of who we are; the good, the bad and the ugly, but do not dwell in it. Take the opportunity given to you by God to be honest and grab your truth from the jaws of lives many defeats that have only slowed you down, but will never destroy you.

The only rule is that truth must empower you, make you better in every way possible

― Kamal Ravikant, Live Your Truth