We are inherent seekers of truth. Whether we're trying to comprehend our true purpose, make a truthful decision, or decipher if someone is telling us the truth, it is in our nature to extract truth from all matters of life. But the truth must be grasped firmly, lest it trickle out of our hands.
Truth can be both objective and subjective; there are irrefutable and opinion-oriented truths. Being that truth is largely relevant to each of us, we often find ourselves asking: What is the right thing to do? And by "right," we refer to our truest decisions -- the ones that can deliver us the greatest amount of good possible. But when emotions, outside influence, and less-than-perfect memories intervene, we lose sight of our intentions. It is then that we must turn inward to rediscover our absolute truth. So long as we are ready to face it, the truth is no farther than a few bold steps down the inner road.
There are a number of routes we can take on our journey towards truth. Reflect on which of these 10 approaches is most appropriate to arrive at your highest truths:
Honor your needs. There are three questions you must ask yourself when faced with a choice: what, why, and for whom? On the majority of occasions, the answer to each of these should include a "me" or "I." Refrain from doing things for the sake of pleasing others and remain loyal to your individual needs.
Listen. The people around you can help establish truth, if you are willing to listen. Ask three people whom you trust fully for unfiltered advice. Listen openly and without interruption. It is ultimately up to you to act on their opinions, but a fresh perspective offers you a wider range of potential and helps detangle truth from frustrating, personal sentiments.
Eliminate fear. We often fear the truth because we're afraid of its power. But fear clouds our thoughts with doubt and confusion, distracting us from the truth. When we're afraid, our vision becomes foggy and our sight limited. Disassociate fear from your quest for truth; relinquish all that scares you to rekindle your most authentic light. Affirm to yourself that you are not afraid to know the whole truth.
Trust your intuition. Like a built-in GPS of the soul, your intuition never fails to direct you to your truth-filled destination. Intuition is that unavoidable feeling that declares brutal honesty. We may not always want to listen to our intuition because we may not like what it's telling us. But by learning to trust our gut feelings more often, we can bypass mistakes and head directly for the correct path. Tune into your intuitive senses the next time you wish to uncover the truth.
Erase bias. Ever heard the phrase, "There are two sides to every story, and then there's the truth?" That's because truth lies removed from bias. Temporarily place yourself outside of your own box and peer within: Examine your situation as an outsider would without choosing sides. In this way you will perceive the purest version of the truth.
Examine history. Truth repeats itself throughout history. If you acted in a way that hurt you in the past, acting in a similar way will also hurt you in the future. Learn from your own history and base your truth on the lessons you've been taught throughout your unique experiences.
Work on principle. There are things we know are right and things we know are undoubtedly wrong. For example, to "never take what is not yours" is much more than an age-old proverb -- it's an inevitable truth. Pay attention to the morality behind the truth you seek and act in accordance to eternal wisdom. You are guaranteed to reach truth through principle.
Project the future. Imagine a scenario in which your ideal truth has manifested. If you dream to own your own business, close your eyes and see yourself unlocking the doors of your establishment for the first time. Projecting your future allows you to visualize the outcome of certain situations. Be mindful of how your vision make you feel. Most importantly, can you see it happening in the real world? You may want to rethink an aspiration that you instinctively know can't come true or one that conjures uncomfortable emotions.
Ask for guidance. The universe is listening. All you have to do is believe in its power. Communicate your concerns and ask for the truth to be revealed; be vigilant for signs from the divine. Establish a two-way communication with the source of your faith and allow yourself to be directed towards a genuine answer. You may be given signals and shown hints pointing towards what you need to know.
Question yourself. It was Socrates who believed that ultimate truth can be achieved through dialogue. And as we all have more than one internal "voice," we can debate truthful variants within our conscience. We all know the truth deep down, however painful or difficult it may be to acknowledge. It's simply a matter of picking the right voice within us. Weigh your options and consider every angle of the story, allowing the different voices within you to surface. You will settle on the sincerest one at end of your introspection.
A deep force within you, the truth is ready to manifest when you are ready to accept its magnitude. The key is to discover your truth by freeing it from bias, fear, or false ambition. Walk the ten roads to your truth; progress waits ahead.
To your truth,
Alexandra Harra
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