Standing in the Truth

In his book, Fate and Destiny, author Michael Meade writes about how deep secrets or hidden truths are poison to the soul and harmful to oneself and others. I agree. Many of us live a life of lies and half-truths because we think we have to in order to have our needs met and to be accepted by others.

But in so doing, we deny an essential part of who we are.

People become lawyers who really want to be artists, become parents when they really want to travel the world, become a husband or wife when they really want to be a hermit or ascetic, become a priest when they really want to become a father and so forth. This deep betrayal of self disconnects us from God and from others because we are denying ourselves authentic expression. This is a form of imprisonment, which is toxic to the soul’s journey, and though painful to uncover and set right, it is the only way someone will ever be free. Many are so bond up by this agreement they’ve made to conform to other’s expectations that they see no way out without risking everything. It paralyzes and drains the life out of every decision they make. To stand in the truth means walking away from the false persona they’ve created and possibly losing their job, friends, family, possessions, status and reputation. Not an easy decision or one to made lightly by any means. It can be akin to moving or at least climbing a mountain.

To live, breath and stand in one’s truth is the greatest act of courage there is. There is nothing more difficult and nothing more rewarding. Many don’t get to this place of courage until mid-life when, facing their own mortality, they decide they aren’t willing to compromise any longer so they walk away from careers, marriages, families, neighborhoods, churches, and friendships in search of an authentic life. Many give away accumulated possessions that no longer reflect who they are.

It is a metamorphosis in grand proportions.

Those who don’t make this shift in mid-life often suffer with this missed opportunity into old age. Some wake up to it very late, just before their live ends or even on their deathbed. It’s never too late, but what a loss! True honesty about what one really wants to do with one’s life should the primary question children and teenagers entertain so they won’t waste their lives and die with regrets.

Some ask the question, but either don't wait to hear the answer or once they do hear it, put it away for future consideration. I'm guilty of both of these. Yet in spite of the many detours I've taken, there are common threads running throughout my life: writing, travel, business, community, consciousness, healing, alternative lifestyles, alternative education and so on.

To stand in my truth means expressing the truth of who I am at this moment in time. Because we are forever evolving into new ways of expressing that truth, but the foundation stays the same. It's recognizable, but it's also one of a kind, like a fingerprint--our unique stand on the world. It flows like a river ever onward into the unknown carrying our particular flavor no matter how we choose to express ourselves.

The truth shall set us free, and freedom is about expressing our truth.