We have all lied.
Studies show that Americans average around 11 lies per week. And, if you read this and say you don’t, well, that is a lie.
Now let’s be honest. We have all lied for different reasons. We have lied to save ourselves from the consequences of our actions. We have lied to those close to us for the sake of preserving their feelings. We have lied to be accepted by others. And, at some point, we have lied to mask our own truth.
We live in an age where at every turn we are inundated with falsehoods and deceitful information. Take social media for example. Instagram and Facebook feeds are pervaded with exaggerations and grandiose facades. These depictions aren’t truths, they are blatant misrepresentations. Yet, we willingly revel in and eat up the deceptions.
These examples get me thinking- does truth hold relevance and value against even the most elaborate lie?
Well, call me an optimist, but I’d like to think that truth holds value above all. Being truthful not only allows us to live a life of authenticity but can also help us live longer.
Research shows that telling the truth is not only good for our mental health but benefits our physical health as well. In a study by Anita E. Kelly, Ph.D., professor of psychology at the University of Notre Dame, participants were separated into two groups: the no-lie group and the control group. The no-lie group was asked to abstain from telling major and minor lies for ten weeks. At the conclusion of the study, Kelly found that the health of the no-lie group was significantly stronger than that of their counterparts.
Now, if the health implications aren’t enough of a reason, here are five additional reasons why the truth prevails:
- Living life authentically allows you to get to know who you really are. In a society where we are expected to abide by and adhere to the rules of what we are supposed to be – it is the ultimate freedom.
- Lies can only be sustained for so long. You never have to worry about being “discovered” or have the continuous pressure of keeping up a façade. You are who you are – and your enough.
- You become a beacon for others who respect and value the truth. And those that don’t, oh well. You don’t want them in your orbit anyway.
- You set an example for others who struggle to live truthfully, and that is not for the faint of heart. Living your truth requires strength, courage, vulnerability, and confidence –
qualities that we all strive for, yet struggle to attain. However, living truthfully is a great start.
5. And finally, the truth is a conduit for love, respect, and empowerment. Living honestly enables you to fully love yourself and others with ease, earns respect from those you honor and cherish, and empowers us to cultivate a deeper relationship with yourself and others.
Embarking on living a life of truth does not happen overnight. It is a journey that requires the unraveling of lifelong conditioning, real commitment, and inner strength.
Will you receive negative responses from those around you for being truthful? Absolutely. Should that deter you from speaking and living your truth? Hell no.