Let’s talk about truth…
What is truth? What does that mean to you?
How can you know whether something is true, or not?
When someone asserts an absolute, its easy to question the credibility of the messenger as well as the veracity of the message.
For anything to be true, it must be based on fact(s) and/or based in reality; though a truth could also be based on collective beliefs based on much less fact and/or reality as it is known. Truth can also be either subjective or objective.
The measure of truth highly depends on the information that is available for evaluating the prospective truth based on the perspective of the investigator.
In my own life, I have asserted many things as absolute truths based on my valuation of the material that was available at the time. Interestingly, I have lived long enough to discover that many of the things that I believed to be true, based on information that was available (or that I was fed) at the time, required reevaluation as new information came to light.
Truth in its highest form would be absolute, but who are we to assert that we could be the authority on anything? One truth about truth is, “seek and you will find.” As long as there is a quest for the truth with a desire to come to a particular outcome, some searcher, somewhere, sometime will derive the conclusion sought.
Yet, we are responsible to seek and maintain our own truths as we travel along this life’s journey; it is a sacred gift, not bestowed on other life forms on this planet. The key is to be open to the idea that truth is a moving target, ever evolving, as we observe, grow and gather information along our individual paths.
The truth, then, is as varied as we are; each of us determining our own truths from moment to moment.
What if someone does not ascribe to our idea of what is true about a particular idea or concept?
This is where one should practice the wisdom of decorum. If you maintain the belief that an idea that is true, yet it is clearly not accepted by the masses, you must proceed with caution and good judgment out of respect for your potential audience.
People are not able to hear any message or see anything without a proper sense of congruency to have an intellectual connection with your idea (cognitive dissonance).
Anytime someone shares an idea that I experience cognitive dissonance with, I say:
“Thank you for sharing. You are absolutely right. What you believe is true. Keep sharing your light with those who can hear you.”
If I can decipher enough congruency to get a grip on what they are trying to say form their perspective, and I am unable to find an appropriate positive or uplifting response, I simply say:
“I see what you mean.”
This allows my mind to consider understanding what the person is saying from their point of view at some time in the future.
It always amazes me, when I hear a concept – that upon the initial discovery of the idea – I find hard to believe; but, if I do not violently reject it and allow new information to be gathered and evaluated over time, the concept may begin to appear more credible. The new idea starts to become visible and possibly more credible than other ideas that I held closely previously. This concept may create a challenge for comprehension based on its conflict with old ideas in light of new information or discoveries, ergo anything is possible.
I find solace in the precept that all truth resides within the truth continuum, and that all of it, whether previously thought to be true or presently, even if only held to be true by a single individual, resides within the truth continuum. Therefore, anything and everything thought to be true, just is.
Keep an open mind. Don’t judge others for where they are in the truth continuum and do not overtly assert your ideas. Share openly but humbly, allowing your audience the opportunity to let your idea(s) sink in as they begin to collect more information, possibly challenging things that they once revered as absolute.
Debate is folly and overwhelm causes others to discard any value that your message might have.
Share compassionately, and don’t waste your efforts on those who cannot possibly comprehend what you are trying to say, but never stop… Those with the ears to hear will hear you.
I’m listening… Are you?
There is only one truth, one true god and only one salvation from burning eternally in the flames of hell that is Jesus Christ. Don’t believe pay the price. It’s your choice.