There is only one truth, and anything varying from it, is simply somebody’s particular interpretation of it. As such, truth is absolute, but our perception often makes it relative.
That is why two people can bear witness to the same event and give different testimony as to what happened. To avoid subjective factors determining the truth in a trial, cameras are now frequently used since with them we can determine in an instant the veracity of the testimony, find out “who dunnit,” and put them behind bars.
Nevertheless, “twisting the truth” is done for many reasons, though mostly for convenience rather than for matters of life or death. We alter, change, or twist the truth to impress someone, perhaps to cover an error, or maybe because we are in dire straits and telling the truth means things will only get worse.
Nevertheless, the truth holds firm, it is unbending.
Being this the case, let’s consider how we are able to manage the truth, as it relates to others, as well as ourselves.
Perhaps even more important than the “truths” others tell us about themselves, are those we tell ourselves.
- How is our daily conversation with ourselves?
- Are we being honest and speaking the truth when we see ourselves in the mirror and evaluate our path in life?
- Are we really doing the best we can do in school, work, and our relationships?
- When we look in the mirror, what are the hard truths we tell ourselves about what we can do better, and what are the lies we tell to soothe our soul?
We all have weaknesses, errors with no expiration date, and blind spots which can cloud everything. Let’s give ourselves the opportunity to believe more in ourselves, telling the truth about the weaknesses we can work on, as well as the strengths we can empower.
When someone tells us they did something, we can take it at face value, realizing it may or not be true. More important than what others tell us about themselves is what we tell ourselves when we take stock of our progress, making sure we give an accurate account of the truth and not a twisted interpretation of it.
∞ Rob McBride ∞
LL IV 48