Truth: Does It Set You Free?

Truth: Does it set you free?

We have all heard the old saying, “that the truth will set you free”. Truth may not feel so free in the beginning as the truth has to vetted in stages. All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.

If you know me, I am a truth seeker and a sower and I take pride in this identity. I have never been one who easily accepts anything (just ask my old chemistry teacher), one that follows the masses, or one accepts staying with traditions for traditions sake. Since I was a young child, I questioned everything. I was the annoying “but why” kid. I am proud to say that I have passed this to my two girls and I am paying for my raising as we say here in the South.

As I got older, most people characterized me as straight shooter, tell like it is, and a no nonsense kind of gal especially in the workplace. Yes, I was firm, but gentle, and my team and I worked hard, but we played hard. Unfortunately, my character was not as helpful in corporate america as they preferred people who tickled their ear while finding a way to make things happen and if you did not make it happen, then you agree to become the scapegoat. I found being transparent/honest made many stakeholders nervous. I admit that I am stubborn, but it has always served me. I made up my mind that the day I had to change who I am whether it be my morals, ethics, or integrity, then the alliance was no longer worth having. I remember telling a past executive that was not too pleased with the news I gave him, that at the end of the day it was not me he had a problem with, but either the truth itself or his inability to handle the truth. Obviously, this did not go over very well, but I stood my ground. Recently, I read the corporate news and my prediction that this company would become like it’s past competitors if the executives did not learn to take educated risks is happening. No matter who you are, when you ignore the truth there are consequences. Even when speaking the truth, there are consequences so be prepared.

What you stand for? What are your beliefs? What are your foundational principles? Are you showing up in integrity? If a man has no integrity, he has nothing…integrity is so important. I like to take pride in that if I say I am going to do something, then you can take it to the bank. However, I am human and I falter. Recently, I had signed up to support a youth rally with cookies. I used my handy dandy iPhone to add to my calendar and did not realize that I put it on the wrong date. This made me so upset when I was a day late and my husband said it was an honest mistake, but this is how serious I take my integrity. Question everything…you will often find that your beliefs today are not educated and vetted truths, but the beliefs of those around you so you might have to develop new beliefs now that you have gotten the facts.

Standing in truth is not always pleasant, it is not going to be well-received most of the time, but it is our obligation to speak the truth and let others wrestle with it. Question everything and do your due diligence to research the facts and act as an informed being. Most people make decisions based upon what their friends, family, etc. are doing, but I challenge you to stop, pause, research, then act. I can tell you there is freedom in standing in the truth. When I was telling folks at my past corporate job the truth, I felt alone, but I was the voice for many and they would tell me later how they wished they could have said what I had to say. I told them we all have choices, but most feel trapped by earning a paycheck and protecting their families. Truth is courageous and courage never goes out of style. I am a truth seeker and a truth sower. Remember that your word is your law, your words have the ability to speak life or death, and we will answer for them so becareful what you accept or repeat. No one escapes the laws of this Universe. I say often, there is a lot of things that I ponder that keep me up at night, however, it is never my conscience. So does the truth set you free, absolutely the truth will set you free just don’t get discouraged as the truth takes time to reveal itself.