Community

Sunday Sayings – Truth

Forestwood
nimbin

Speaking the truth – is knowing who you are, but is it always the best thing for everybody?

“Don’t wait around for someone else to tell your story. Do it yourself by whatever means necessary.” -Lena Dunham

So many around us choose to conceal, hide or change the truth to protect others or enhance ourselves. We are constantly bombarded by fake news, or so-called fake news. Perhaps the reports of fake news could even be fake, themselves. If so, then, what or where is the real truth?

Life isn’t about finding yourself.

Life is about creating yourself.

George Bernard Shaw
jump joy happy

We create lies, fantasy or untruths based on fear, craving or perhaps even ill-will. We create alternative explanations of reality to cover up our failings, or defer facing things that are unpalatable, in order to escape from feeling negative emotions. A coping or protective strategy?

Can truth be as individual as each person, in all our uniqueness?

Weekly Proverb

Examining any part of the history of Poland suggests that the Polish Proverb has been useful to the Polish population. Sometimes the truth needs to hidden to ensure one’s survival or, another’s survival.

In continually hiding the truth, some people may even begin to lose themselves.

Sunday Sayings

I became fascinated with traditional proverbs and sayings, their metaphorical layers and the many different interpretations found within just a few, succinct words. I marveled at their ability to transcend race, religion, opinions and age.

They offer us knowledge; knowledge that is passed to us in much the same way relay runners might pass a baton. Once it’s handed over, it is up to us what we do with it and how we pass it on.

Is truth vital in your world?

Moniga Del Garda

What do you make of the proverb and quotes posted today?

I would love to know your thoughts. Join in on the discussion.

Everyone’s opinion is important.

Published by Forestwood

A philosophic Aussie writes here at StPA, one who will readily admit to loving Scandinavia. I'm interested in global politics and what drives us to be who we are. Scratch the surface and you'll find a practical Environmentalist with an egalitarian bent, trying to unleash a little creativity via the written word. Scandinavian culture, literature and traditions are close to my heart, even though I'm Australian. Travel and courteous discussions greatly broaden the mind, so I travel if I can and am always up for a vigorous, respectful discussion. I'm an avid reader, a writer and I enjoy photography and crafts, particularly traditional art forms. I hope you'll find 'Something to Ponder About,' in my WordPress Community.

46 thoughts on “Sunday Sayings – Truth”

  1. Right now I’m having great difficuty with it, as I would like to be brutally honest with some people I know and tell them that our friendship has reached its end (the backstory far too complex to repeat). But that is an extraordinarily difficult thing to do – especially in a small town. So no, I’m not living honestly.
    But then, there is transitive truth and intransitive truth, really: lying by commission or omission.
    This is tricky.
    🙂

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Indeed it is tricky. I hope that M-R’s other party takes the hint- gently.
      I agree it is less complicated to make a blanket rule about telling the truth but life is rarely just black and white. Or at least mine is rarely that!

      Liked by 2 people

  4. We all play this exciting game of hide-and-seek, and we all wear ever-changing masks in it. 😉 Some of us are very occupied by the facade; others think more about what they bring into the house… For me, Truth is what I bring to the hearts, minds, and souls of those around me – and myself. 🙂
    Thank you, Amanda! Your posts make me think – and ponder 😉
    (and isn’t that always a requirement for finding the truth in all things?)

    Liked by 4 people

    1. I like the way you encapsulate this topic, Elena. A game of hide and seek, changing personas; or, at times they are called different hats that we wear. Our work hat, the professional one, one for colleagues outside of work, one for business in our personal life, one for friends and another for family; even another for in-laws. Then there is the community volunteer hat, the shopper/consumer hat, etc., etc. All different masks aren’t they?
      Is there always a consistent undercurrent of truth?
      You referred to thinking and pondering and said: – ‘isn’t that always a requirement for finding the truth in all things?” – Yes Indeed. It is fundamental to discovering one’s own truth and therefore one’s core identity.

      Liked by 2 people

  6. And then, somewhere along the spectrum, often not very close to truth, is consensus. We often seem to strive to reach consensus, but how much of the truth do we lose in doing that? That’s why one of my favorite quotes, that I learned while working in a large corporation, is:
    “A consensus means that everyone agrees to say collectively what no one believes individually.”

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Oooh. Thanks for contributing. That is a great quote that really plays out in many workplaces. If a person doesn’t feel like their suggestion or argument angle will receive any traction within the group – one tends to go along with the majority. “Majority rules.” Do you think this could partially either be a herding instinct or the person sees absolutely no resolution of the issue if everyone’s viewpoint is to be accommodated?

      Liked by 2 people

      2. Likewise, I had to sleep on the reasons for consensus. Fear, wanting to be liked, are valid in group dynamics, particularly if within the group is the boss, or the person responsible for hiring and firing. The Swedes love consensus and that is the Swedish way of doing business. But perhaps the boss is critical to whether it is a success or not. A boss with a big ego might mean the rest of the group give in, a bit too often?

        Liked by 2 people

      3. You’re bringing up three very insightful questions:
        1) is seeking consensus culturally dependent? I didn’t know that Swedes favored consensus. Are some cultures predisposed to reject consensus?
        2) is seeking consensus dictated by the boss? I know that people some cultures in Southeast Asia will defer to the boss almost automatically. Can a (good :)) boss change that?
        3) is seeking consensus different in a small team setting vs. a very large group?
        I think I need more sleep 😉

        Seems like a longer discussion is needed

        Liked by 2 people

  7. Living life with truth is so much simpler than constantly trying to live a lie. Whether it is not saying how we really feel, trying to pretend we are someone we’re not, wearing a mask to conceal our true selves, fake news, on and on. The energy involved with not being authentic is unbelievable.

    There is but one us. Living our truth is so powerful. Speaking our truth is even more so. Each of us are gifted in unique ways, needed in this world equally.

    I love what you said here: “In continually hiding the truth, some people may even begin to lose themselves.” Yes! We really can lose ourselves in the false identity and what a tragedy that is! There are too many phony, cookie cutter people in this world. BE YOU! You’re perfect just the way you are. 💕 All My Love, ~ Holly

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thanks for making that excellent point, Holly G! I love that you affirm it is okay to be who you are. Who we are IS enough! We do not have to pretend to be better, stronger, more confident, something else. In accepting ourselves and any shortcomings, our minds actually internally can gain confidence and strength. An act of pretence/false identity halts the development of that feeling in our our mind ! [Klodo https://deathbyshyness.wordpress.com/
      – please tell me if you agree? ]
      So pretending or lying might initally give a shy person confidence to enter a situation but it could also be that double edged sword, in that it takes away any chance of the self gaining that powerful emotion internally in a constructive, postive and more permanent way as you know you are a phoney/cookie cutter reproduction!
      Do you think those who are caught up in pretence, forget what is their own truth?

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Ah, I think I’m about to go off on a tangent you hadn’t intended and I don’t want, in that I’m veering away from the personal in a way. I’m devastated, in a real sense, to find our current politics driven by lies. Lies from ‘misleading’ campaigning, and lies from our Leaders, those whom we should be able to trust.It’s having a depressing effect on my morale, and that of people I love and respect. Nobody ever trusts politicians – much. But to witness bare-faced dishonesty on a daily basis from those entrusted with government is unsettling, frightening even, and there’s no escape.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Hi Margaret,
      Tangents are totally welcomed at StPA! I love them! I did indeed have politics in mind in the whole gamut of this topic, but other aspects of life too – our identity and so forth. Especially in regard to “fake News” and the fake ‘fake news’ reports! It especially applies to politics. How shameful is reporting a report of human misery as ‘fake news!’ Unconscionable! This disinformation appears purposefully intended to disorientate and confuse the public. I hope that journalists/ journalism retains some integrity and resilient strength to be able to report individually and unmotivated by their job security and paypacket. To this end, blogging and individual commentary can be vital, (even with its own biases).
      As unsettling as it is, they will not convince everyone. Hold on to that thought.

      Liked by 2 people

  9. I have no idea how I got to see your 2013 bad weather post, but I read it as the present, so I consider it fake news too! 😉 So happy it’s not now!

    Seriously though, I find the truth of utmost importance in everything I do. However, I’ve noticed that lately I’ve been showing nothing but pretty pictures on my blog most of the time. Sometimes a hard truth is present, but mostly it’s just eye candy. I suppose it’s to offer something nice in this progressively unnice world. It’s enough to read some news for the hard-hitting dose of truth.

    Or my daily communications, with amore, my parents on skype… It’s just chitchat. Nothing serious or truthful is discussed any more.

    Well, I’m just glad you don’t have the 2013 weather again. At least I hope so…

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Hi Manja, thanks so much for your lengthy comment. I agree there is so much that is unsavoury in the media world, that it is refreshing to just let your eyes rest on some beautiful scenes that take one’s mind away from the humdrum of life. Your visit to my 2013 post is strange. However it could be something to do with the WordPress algorithm. Mainly because last night, I was deleting some very old posts from 2013, as my storage is eroding away. I visited this same post from 2013 but did not delete it, so perhaps because I visited it, wordpress threw it up as a post suggestion?

      Liked by 2 people

  10. I took the Polish proverb to indicate that too much of a “creative” explanation is merely enhancing a partial truth or made up story. As time goes on and these particular “stories” are repeated, they eventually begin to knot one’s insides, especially when finally confronted by someone unexpectedly who knows the real truth. Better not to begin flowering a truth and have it catch up to you. And if never found out, it will still hurt inside.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thanks for commenting on the Polish proverb, Loujen, because for me, that is what triggered this post and discussion. The hidden truths can indeed fester and rot from the inside out. I can think of examples where this has happened to people close to me. Does it depend on the significance of the lie as to how severe the anguish?

      Liked by 1 person

  11. You have once again brought to fore a life-long struggle of mine, Amanda! How do you do it?

    I have strived to be truthful, in words as well as actions. But there have been occasions when I wonder whether I spilled my guts to alleviate my guilty conscience or to shake off the weight of keeping the truth hidden, rather than think of the good of the other person. In the hurry to make myself feel better, I chose ways to reveal the truth in less than stellar or appropriate ways. Naturally, lots of regret followed.

    These days, I attempt to be less hasty. I must say though, my tongue works quicker than my brain often does.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Perhaps I highlight this struggle, Ju-Lyn because it is something that is quite a commonplace struggle for many of us?
      The tongue does appears to have a mind of its own, at times, doesn’t it? And sometimes it gets things all jumbled up in it’s rush to get things out! This defintitely happens to me as I get older, and I think that is why I prefer the written word, as I can easily go back and re-edit it to convey my intended meaning better!
      Regret is the offspring of guilt. Guilt is a pointless emotion, someone once said. Perhaps yes, but perhaps no. Guilt might make us remember this as an example and learn to do things differently the next time.
      I tend to have a karmic view of truth – unless the intent is a protective one. Truth comes back to bite me if I don’t stick with it! Although life is rarely so black and white. Those people who see it as black and white are often considered abrupt or rude in society. Therefore, a complicated relationship with truth is possibly a better cross to bare?

      Liked by 2 people

      1. I really appreciate our conversations, Amanda, in large part because you share so bravely & engagingly about things that matter to me.

        And taking your perspectives as well as those who respond to your posts is enlightening as well.

        Liked by 2 people

      2. Oh Ju-Lyn, you say the kindest, most thoughtful things! Thank you for contributing to the discussions on my blog. The revelations that come to light in the discussion, are the real reward for me.💕💕💕

        Liked by 1 person

  12. Another kettle of worms you open up. I think many of your subjects have led to this kind of discussion. I think we mostly lie to ourselves or tell truths that are easier for others to accept. It took so many, many years for me to tell the whole truth mostly because I learned that others don’t want to hear it. I could write a book on this and may still. I’ve also learned that 2 people can be at the same event and see things entirely different according to their perception. So what is truth? Your body will always tell you the truth. It will react physically to any lie you live or tell. When you live a lie, you eventually become at dis-ease with it and depending on how big the lie, the greater the dis-ease forms in the body. I have lung dis-ease. What does that say? I did not smoke or do harmful things to my body. I just lived a lie too long. Can I undo it? Who knows but I have to live in my truth every day now. So I’ll end this here and get back to work. Have a wonderfilled weekend, Amanda. Hugs

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks Marlene for another thought provoking comment. These are complex philosophical and existential matters that I like to explore and discover and in so doing, discover others’ perspective and opinions. It is quite logical the way you view dis-ease. I think I have mentioned a alternate therapy physio/masseuse that use to treat disabled folk in their home. He firmly believed that an illness that was persistent or resistant to treatment had a mental component that contributed to the severity of the disease or could potentially delay healing of the disease. Interesting perspective that may have some merit but doesn’t explain everything.
      But your situation: I can’t imagine you living a lie at all. You have such a honest viewpoint on life. But I suppose we all have some small secrets hidden away and if we can’t process them, we might deny them altogether. At times, they might find a way out. Internally, we always know the truth, or the truth as we want it to be.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. I agree. We always know the truth but are we willing to risk everything to live it? I told the truth but it created so much trauma for others that it was just easier to stay silent. Many are happy as long as we ignore the truth. Not living your truth is costly. I will not do it again. The body always knows the truth. It responds to long term denial.

        Liked by 2 people

      2. Ah! I see the dilemma of living/telling the truth and silently knowing the truth. Indeed it could be destructive. I quite agree it is easier to stay silent in some cases where it might be like severing an artery if you were to reveal it. Particularly when the topic is sensitive/controversial/explosive. Rarely is there such anguish as someone who must hold back the truth in these circumstances.
        Then there is the secondary fallout, dare one try to reveal this explosive truth. Especially in family or political matters. No one wants to believe it, and cannot bring themselves to believe it. You had to make the decision that was right for you, Marlene, and in that you should feel no regret. I totally understand if you decided it was better to stay silent, from then on. The gut will always tell you the right decision – no matter what happens but the cost spills over onto our overall health and immunity. As you said the body always knows the truth.
        Change, however, comes with the passing of time. And hopefully, with time, folks will progress or modify their viewpoint enough to understand the bigger picture better. I just read a comment on another blog referring to politics, fake news and truth – but it is also applicable to our discussion. A person “will only believe what fits with their viewpoint.” – that makes life easier for them and it becomes absorbed into their version of the truth. This discussion has made me think that there are many truths – some are more true than others, but it always depends on which perspective as to which is your truth.

        Liked by 2 people

  13. My favorite part was how someone can lose themself while hiding a truth and living in lies and secrecy –
    That is how I took that.
    And side note – it hurts me a little when I see folks so resistant to truth and stuck in confirmation bias…

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Indeed, Yvette. It is hurtful. Losing one’s sense of identity is extremel disorientating and very unhealthy long term. But then what is their motivation in hiding the truth. That might reveal their reasoning for doing so?
      I am going to discuss another aspect of truth in a post to be published in a few minutes…

      Liked by 2 people

  14. Pingback: Sunday Sayings – Consensus – Something to Ponder About

Comments are closed.