LIVING AND SPEAKING YOUR TRUTH

What does it mean to live our truth and to speak our truth? We can live authentically and without hurting others if we're brave enough to own our truth and to be accepting of the differences others bring to the table.  #inspiration #truth

WHAT IS LIVING YOUR TRUTH?

Today it's "T" for Truth in the List of More. The very first question that comes up is "what is "truth"? And then "how do I live my truth and speak my truth"? In a world where truth has become somewhat fluid and everyone claims to have their own version of the truth, I find I want to return to grassroots truth. I think there's a sense of rightness when we know we're living a life that isn't duplicitous, and isn't walking the line between what we know is right and what suits us at that particular moment.

I don't like the idea of defining "my truth" as being a subjective variation of the actual truth - where we get to pick and choose what we think is true versus what are the actual facts. I think it's more to do with living out my "perspective" rather than my "truth" because we all have different life stories and come to a situation with different ideas, but the facts don't change - what is flexible are the viewpoints. We need to consider what other people might bring to the table, be prepared to listen, and still hold true to what is fundamentally right.

Live your truth right out in the open - no apologizing for who you are - Jacob Nordby #inspirationalquotes

WHAT LIVING MY TRUTH MEANS TO ME

For me there's a lot here that's to do with authenticity, being true to myself, to my beliefs, to my faith, to what shapes my life. I can't select bits and pieces of those truths to throw out the window because they're anchor points of who I am and how I see the world. At the same time, I need to recognize that I don't know everything and that my truth is viewed through my own filters and they may need to be adjusted if I have my facts wrong.

I really appreciated this comment from an article by Marquita Herald:

When you are anchored in truth you have a compass for decision making and establishing healthy self-care and personal boundaries, so you are not as easily derailed or influenced by external messages that encourage you to minimize attention to your own well-being.

It takes courage to live authentically, to be open in living out what you hold to be true. We worry about what others might think and whether we will cause offence, but ultimately if we base our beliefs on a strong foundation and have thought them through and can defend them without over-reacting, then there's every reason to live confidently and to assume that others will accept us as we accept their right to an opinion.

WHAT IS SPEAKING YOUR TRUTH?

As well as living our truth, there are times when we need to speak our beliefs out loud. For those of us who are Christians, it can mean walking a fine line between saying what we believe and not treading on the toes of others. As the gap widens between church and State, we need to be aware of what is acceptable and what needs to be handled with kid gloves. So many people are waiting to take offence these days - it's like they have a radar constantly on alert for anything they can misinterpret and be upset by. There's always the risk that we'll overstep that fine line, but we also need to have the courage to use our voice when we see a need.

Sometimes we need to own our right to speak authentically and to not be watering down what we think and feel in case some random person may disagree with us. Living in a democracy means that we have the right to free speech (although that seems to change in its definition more every day!) We need to use our rights responsibly and not deliberately set out to antagonize, but speaking from our hearts and having the courage to be honest is something to be held onto tightly and not given up lightly.

Speak your truth - especially when you fear no one will understand you. #lifequotes

WHAT SPEAKING MY TRUTH MEANS TO ME

I love a good debate, sharing opinions, defending my beliefs, learning the perspective of others, being open to new ideas. This is such a stimulating way to live, but it brings with it the possibility of conflict and disagreement. Speaking strongly about what we hold to be true is important, but so is making sure that the other person still feels validated and entitled to their own beliefs and opinions.

Since I've delved into the world of blogging, I've written nearly 900 posts and in the process I feel like I've been finding my voice. Blogging allows me to speak/write what I truly believe and feel, but it also means being prepared to take a hit when someone reads something they disagree with. Being honest and speaking/writing your truth can cause hurt sometimes too and that can be a real killer for those of us who want everyone to like us and for everyone to be happy. I feel like I'm on a constant learning curve where I want to be true to myself, but not cause hurt in the process - it's always a fine line isn't it?

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

Are you living and speaking your truth? Do you think that it's getting harder to be open about our opinions and beliefs these days? Is it important for you to be able to be open and honest in your conversations and in your writing (if you're a blogger)?


RELATED POSTS


What does it mean to live our truth and to speak our truth? We can live authentically and without hurting others if we're brave enough to own our truth and to be accepting of the differences others bring to the table.  #inspiration #truth
What does it mean to live our truth and to speak our truth? We can live authentically and without hurting others if we're brave enough to own our truth and to be accepting of the differences others bring to the table.  #inspiration #truth

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16 comments

  1. 900 posts! That's impressive. I agree about the importance of speaking our truth. Ironically, I find it easier to do now than ever before. Perhaps that's one part maturity, and three parts retirement! Thank you for another provocative post.
    As a completely unrelated side, I was going to mention that the share buttons on the left hand side of your posts frequently cover some of the text that I am trying to read. Then I realized it's because I have been enlarging the print on my computer screen more and more lately. Time for me to get new glasses! :D

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    1. Oh Donna you made me laugh - I got all worried about my share buttons til I hit your next sentence! Definitely time for some new glasses! And yes, with age comes maturity (and poor eyesight!) and the ability to not get dragged into compromising our values or associating with people who cause us upset and conflict. I love that!

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  2. Hi Leanne,

    I really appreciate your blog! The quotes you find are spot on! I’m in the process of evaluating what my future work life is going to look like. I work with difficult, negative people and it’s really starting to take a toll. Thank you so much for your blog!

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    1. Hi! I'm so glad you found me and that you're enjoying my blog. If you read back over the last few months you'll find lots of posts about processing your way through leaving a toxic work environment (if that's what you opt to do). I fought to keep my job for too long and it nearly did my head in, it's hard to admit that you might need to walk away from because the people you work with are awful, but sometimes we have to do what's best for us and leave karma to do the rest! Good luck with your journey and I really hope you visit here regularly and we can encourage each other through this transitional phase of life x

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  3. Leanne, I completely "get" your balance of speaking/writing your own truth and not wanting to hurt others. So often we (I?) think that one person's approach to life is the expected, recommended approach for everyone. Or if someone is doing it different then that implies your approach is being judged as wrong. I'm trying more and more in my blog and in my conversations to overtly say "this works for me... but it might not be the approach for you". And to accept that their different approach/beliefs does not imply I'm wrong. Non-judgmental acceptance is a very challenging learning curve.

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    1. Pat that really is the essence of mature authenticity IMHO. I think we have to own our truth and not be beaten around by the shouts of others, but at the same time we need to be sensitive to the fact that others genuinely believe differently to us and that they're entitled to those beliefs (as we're entitled to ours).
      It's getting harder and harder these days to walk that line, but I'm finding that I have absolutely no time for the "friends" who shout their beliefs on SM or who judge or denounce on Facebook. Why?? Heaven help us when the next US election comes up - that certainly brings out the shouters!

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  4. I find it much harder to share my opinions publicly ie through blogging. There always seems to be someone who is upset. As a result I very much try to stay middle of the line in what I write & rarely stray into areas where I do hold a strong opinion one way or the other. I prefer to keep my debates to face to face and avoid entering into anything on social media that can be misinterpreted. Is that compromising or hiding my truth? I'm not sure. It is, however, recognising that I don't want to cause harm or hurt to anyone else by my words - and if I do, it's absolutely unintentional.

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    1. I think it's maturity Jo - we know what is true, but we're showing grace to others by not ramming our beliefs down their throats. I think if more people were considerate of others, they'd leave posting the contraversial stuff and save it for face to face conversations where it's less likely to be misinterpreted or cause offence.

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  5. I try and live as authentically as I can. This has led to me acknowledging that I needed to leave the corporate life I was lived and following my curiosities ever since. On the blog I speak my truth but with some limitations - for instance I'm well aware my mother, aunts, cousins, friends from childhood, current friends and acquaintances etc are reading what I write. I also have not got a thick skin so I avoid expressing my opinions on political and other contentious issues ... unless it's something I am so passionate about that I feel drawn to write about it. My aim though is to be as authentically me as I can be but I must admit, there are some boundaries that prevent me from fully doing so. #TeamLovinLife

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    1. Hi Min - I think we all feel that way about our blogs. I know that sometimes I'd like to be a little bit more open, but I've learnt (from experience!) that what I write can be misinterpreted and it can cause upset - even though that wasn't my intention. I'm now very aware of what I write and how specific I am in what I say - I need to be true to myself and my blogging voice, but not by dragging others through the mud behind me!

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  6. Yes, living my (the) truth is something I always aim to do. I cannot lie. I do not have a poker face. I get mad/sad about people who manipulate the truth but I also realised (wisdom in ageing, perhaps?) not everyone has the same moral compass I do. I do however, stay very careful (probably too careful for some) on the blog as a life time of being a public servant taught me that.
    Denyse #lovinlifelinky

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    1. I feel exactly the same way about other people's versions of the truth Denyse. It surprises me how easily some people change facts or embellish things to make themselves look better. I'm a useless liar and I love that I don't have to remember what story I've made up - I'm sure I'd forget and be caught out! And blogging is definitely a minefield!

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  7. I've been more open about my opinions the past few years. I had to overcome my fear. But I've found if I listen well the conversations are usually lovely.

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    1. Hi - yes, I think we learn how to have more difficult conversations with grace and tolerance as we get older. We speak up a little more and at the same time take other's feelings into account - and that's the balance isn't it?

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  8. I believe I am. I live by the 4 agreements so being true to my word is a big part of life. I did grow a set of balls recently and stood firm on some things. Not sure it won me any friends but at least I felt like I could be me instead of tip toeing around others letting them call the shots.

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    1. The 4 agreements are a great basis to build on Leanne and good on you for standing strong - I think that the people in our lives who don't respect that are often the ones who eventually move on and we have to let them choose their own path.

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