How Does The Reality of Truth Impact Your Self-Awareness?
What IS the truth?
Long ago, I came to this notion: There are three brands of truth. Mine, yours, and the absolute.
The truth, as I perceive it, is colored by my life experiences, education, environment, associations, and the imperfection of memory. Just because I remember something having been a certain way doesn’t make it so. But the truth, as I believe it to be - no matter the topic – is colored thus. This is true for you, too.
The absolute can be totally hidden and unrecognizable. That’s because, apart from here and now, memory is faulty and colored by the above-mentioned things. It's for this reason that people can believe in things that are proven to be untrue in the absolute – like the Earth being flat, vaccines containing microchips, evolution being unprovable, and the like.
So, if the absolute of truth is such a challenge to recognize – how can it set you free?
By recognizing the fluidity of truth, and that what you cling to as truth might not be. And sometimes the truth is not important in the long run. That knowledge also sets you free.
When the truth is less important
Many an argument is over whose truth is right.
A large part of the problem with these arguments is that meeting in the middle can be challenging. And sometimes impossible. Because there are plenty of times when the absolute variation of the truth is nowhere near where you or I are.
You are worth it even if it’s not
There are definitely times it’s worth sticking to and fighting for your truth.
You, and only you, know who, what, how, where, and why you are. Ultimately, only you can ever know that. No matter how much you let others in – you’re the only one in your head, heart, and soul.
If you are defending your identity via your truth – then that’s worthy of you. For example, if you were born male but identify as female, that’s a truth worth fighting for.
When you’re fighting for something unimportant, or just for the sake of being right or winning an argument – is it really of value to you?
Mindfulness is freedom
When you are mindful, you’re consciously aware. Conscious awareness is a product of the here and now. By being present, consciously aware here and now, you take control over your life experience.
Mindfulness, accountability, and responsibility for your truth - in light of their truth and the absolute truth - help you choose to face the positive or negative end of the given spectrum of whatever topic is up for debate. And that can be truly freeing, don’t you think?
Ergo – the truth, no matter if it's mine, yours, or the absolute – truly can set you free.
This week’s Applied Guidance for Mindfulness Tool:
Is there a truth that you cling to that causes you more harm than good?
Take a few minutes each day to consider what truths you cling to – and if they are worthy of your time, energy, and attention. Does the belief in that truth do you good or ill?
If good – carry on. If not – how can you release this truth for your freedom?
Write out what the “truth” you’ve been holding onto is. Then, write out at least two alternatives to it (the absolute if you know what that is). Read it, consider it, and see how that makes you feel.
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