How much truth do you speak? Lately, I often circle back to how much I hate the greeting or opening phrase of “what’s up?” What is up? Probably the same for you as for me (the sky or ceiling above each of us), so what point does it truly serve? Instead of inane starts, let us start getting to the heart of the matter please. Let us skip the surface-level crap.
Embracing truthfulness here, I know how easy it is to mindlessly speak in this way. Since starting this post days ago, I caught myself saying that very phrase a number of times whenever I was not thinking well nor being present in the moment. Recognizing these occurrences serves as a reminder for me to reengage my senses and avoid reflexive responses. I would much rather respond consciously as I learn from my mistakes.
Mistakes are, after all, the foundations of truth, and if a man does not know what a thing is, it is at least an increase in knowledge if he knows what it is not.
-Carl Jung
I also take issue with “take it easy” as a farewell. Why should we try to tell others how to take their life? What if some of us do not wish to live life easily? To me, it feels lazy and sloppy if the focus is only on taking things easily. Whatever happened to simply saying farewell? Fare thee well. Someone said “peace” to me today in parting; I like that one.
Peace is a frequent farewell in Arabic; “with peace” is a common expression for goodbyes in that language. For me, I often bid people good luck at the end as I frequently hear about some current issue which I wish to wish them well on or with. Truth implies impeccability. If you say the same thing every time, are you truly living, or are you coasting or ghosting along on autopilot? Why repackage the same words in each and every situation? How much do you even process those same words and phrases?
The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right place but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.
-Dorothy Nevill
I will recognize that many may view my stance here as pedantic or trivial. Why do I care about these canned starters and finishers? Why should we talk if we cannot exchange an original conversation? Do we actually want to talk, or is it a societal standard that we are sustaining by saying the same stuff so much? I seek true connections, and I seek honest dialogue. I strive for a social circle that helps us consider as much of what we do as we possibly can. If we are not aware of our own actions, then how can we accurately assess our truth within? Once we flow, I think of it as natural truth. How do we transition to that?
Anyone who doesn’t take truth seriously in small matters cannot be trusted in large ones either.
-Albert Einstein
A couple weeks ago, while brewing some tea in a break room, a coworker walked in. I decided to ask him what his favorite part of the past weekend was. I had read an article with unique conversation starters that included this idea as a suggestion in it. He was genuinely surprised and delighted by such an authentic inquiry, and, as a result, I heard about a fun night of games with friends that he enjoyed recently. By curiously asking and actively listening, I learned about a new card game, too. What a true moment right there.
To seek truth requires one to ask the right questions. Those void of truth never ask about anything because their ego and arrogance prevent them from doing so. Therefore, they will always remain ignorant.
-Suzy Kassem
In an ideal world, in my opinion, each and every action and word would be imbued with absolute truth. Yes, it takes a lot of effort and conscious consideration, but what else is true life? I think it is a lot of effort and conscious consideration. Soak in your surroundings. Contemplate and choose your actions and words. I do not want to go through my day on autopilot. I want to live a full, truthful life. I think I owe it to myself and those around me as well as those who came before me, helping me be where I am today. That is how I choose to live, and it is the truth I choose to embody. How much truth do you live?
Live your truth boldly.
Others may decide to think less of you, but it isn’t your job to prove worth. It’s your job to live knowing your worth can never be defined by another’s assumptions.
Hold your head high,
be proud,
carry on.
-Rachel Marie Martin
Maybe it is wise.
Maybe it is dumb.
Time will tell.