So.... I wonder what our old friend Shakespeare was thinking when he came up with that phrase? Something must have triggered those words. Just think...even back then there was someone on this earth who was aware enough of themselves and those around them to actually contemplate self truth, and even though I don't know exactly what led him to write it, it still speaks to me. So we might as well get right down to it, because you already know I have something to say about the subject.
Truth. Now most people would think I'm talking about being honest with others, and while that is of the utmost importance.....I want to focus more on being honest with yourself, because actually, you can't really be truthful and honest with anyone else, unless you take a good look at yourself and see the truth. Well....what is the truth? Let's look it up shall we? Webster states that truth is the quality of being in accordance with facts or reality. Now I'll admit all of us, to a degree, stretch the truth in dealing with others, as well as self. Which basically means we are pretending something instead of portraying what is real. So why would we be so afraid to be real? What is wrong with being who you really are, unless your expectations are too high...especially of yourself?
Ah....so maybe this has to do with how we believe others view us? So we can't be honest with ourselves, because if we were, then we're afraid others won't accept us for who we are? Hence the "being in accordance with facts or reality comes into play." Yes indeedy, another one of my twisted puzzles thrown out on the floor to play with, pick at, analyze, and ponder. Hey it's either play with the puzzles or wake up each day playing a different game that really gets you nowhere fast. You ever wonder what people mean when they say "don't play mind games with me?" Well....I believe it has something to do with being dishonest with others, or somehow twisting the truth about yourself to get what you want.
So.....there we go. The crux of the issue or bottom line stems from......getting what you want...and doing or saying whatever you need to do or say to get it, and sadly enough, most of the time, getting away with it. I don't know about you, but that whole last sentence tasted really bitter in my mouth. I would almost rather have someone blatently lie to me, than to lie about who they really are, and it would be more important for them to get what they wanted or felt they deserved, than to "be in accordance with facts or reality,"..........in essence, live in truth.
Maybe it stems with how we look at ourselves. Are we so low on the totem pole, that no one would ever want to be around us? It's sad to think that we have to paint a completely different picture of ourselves than what others see, in order to be happy in this world or to feel accepted.....very sad indeed. So today I encourage you to for once take a look at yourself in the mirror and see the truth. If you see something good....then focus on the good. If you see something not so good or really bad, then make a pact with yourself to change it so you can live a more authentic life not only with yourself, but more importantly with those around you.
We all deserve to live in truth, and more likely to gain those things that mean the most to us in this life if we strive for honesty. So the next time something flies out of your mouth about yourself that you know in your gut is the farthest thing from the truth........try your best to remember old Shakespeare and his famous words of wisdom........"To Thine Ownself Be True."
