Living The Truth

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Wouldn't life be easier if we just live, say, do, see and hear what is true? Many of us know the thrill, fear and frustrations of living a life of constant look out for possible threats of being found out, of putting a face for show, of telling biggie lies and white lies and the promotion and and self preservation of one's image and interest. Indeed, our fast food society is tainted with the notion that one can get anything in life by simply taking shortcut techniques and deception without regard for universal principles and the cost it entails instead of practicing the foundational values of trust, honor and truth that holds this society together at the first place. When one thinks about it, living life in a body of lies don't make sense when you risk losing everything for something we think will satisfy us in the long run yet leaves us with regret, anger, frustration, pain, suffering and, even, death. Compare that to simply living in the light, in truth with nothing to hide, fear, lose, prove but the truth. As one noted person said, "When wealth is lost, nothing is lost. When health or relationships are lost, something is lost. But when integrity is lost, everything is lost."

In the newspapers, radio, television and the internet we have seen, heard and had known scandals of men in business, politics, schools and institutions publicly disgraced for their acts if selling themselves short to money, power, lust or fame. Many of us ridicule and hate these people but the main issue in here is not who did what or who did who but the lingering question, "Are we really that different from these men who succumbed themselves to corruption, greed and falsity?"



An applicant of a company was answering an examination with the first question being asked, " Do you have any criminal record?" to which he answered a negative. Then the second question asked, "Why?" The naive applicant who should have skipped the question answered, " I guess I wasn't caught." Living in truth is not a matter on who gets caught or not but a matter of integrity.

Integrity is the ability to walk our talk. It is the ability to be real, to be true by speaking, acting, and thinking what is true regardless of circumstance,. To live with integrity means to lay one's life to a commitment of truth. It's not a degree of gravity of crime. There are no gray areas. You can either be true or false, real or fake. It makes no difference if it's white lies or biggie lies, stealing a paper clip or pocketing Php10M, a terrorist gunning innocent women and children or a priest in a rape scandal. Integrity knows no status, hierarchy, or race. It constantly challenges us to do nothing but be ourselves. And being ourselves is one of the hardest thing to do! As business executives of a particular company were gathering for a meeting, the president announced, " Gentlemen, the trick this year is honesty." "Brilliant!.." the VP beside the him said, " ...but risky."

What is needed to practice integrity, honesty and truth?

To practice integrity requires two things: self- discipline and attitude. Self disciple is simply the ability to disciple the self's interests , emotions and desires for the sake of something more important and greater. And attitude means to proceed and to act with strength and endurance regardless of circumstance, people's opinion or one's emotions. Self discipline and the right attitude is a very fertile ground for one's development of integrity and character development. Both can't stop your emotions and circumstances but your emotions and circumstances will definitely stop you if you don't have both.

What is the price tag?
A life of standing your ground amidst the world being engulfed with pitch darkness of lies, deceit, and murder. The price tag says, " Your Life".

The Reward?
A life with nothing to prove, hide or fear and the knowledge that you are going the right way. There's no greater glory than being able to be true to yourself, to others and to The One.

To live a life of integrity is, indeed, a seemingly impossible feat. Yes, a very possible one where we live out our purpose, serve others and leave a legacy worth being inspired, remembered and lived.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously
give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.
A Return To Love - Marianne Williamson