Live Your Truth

Living my best life. Living my truth

Here I was, a successful married man with a beautiful family living in a large house across the road from the beach. I would sit on the front veranda and watch the sun rise over the ocean. As light flooded my world, it signified the start of a new day. It was time to write another page in my book of life, But was I capturing the full story? Was I living my truth?

Asking “Was I living my truth?” is powerful.

It implies a desire to align your external life with your internal values, passions, and purpose. Sometimes, even when everything looks perfect from the outside, there can be a quiet voice inside asking for more—more meaning, more connection, more honesty with oneself.

Living truthfully is a profound and often challenging pursuit. It goes beyond honesty in speech—it's about aligning your inner values, beliefs, and desires with your external actions, relationships, and life choices. Here's an exploration of the theme from several angles:

1. The Nature of Truth in One’s Life

Living truthfully means being authentic—not just to others, but to yourself. It requires:

• Self-awareness: Understanding who you are beneath roles, expectations, and societal norms.

• Courage: Facing uncomfortable truths, making difficult decisions, and sometimes going against the grain.

• Integrity: Acting in ways that reflect your values, even when no one is watching.

“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.” — Carl Jung

2. The Conflict Between Appearance and Reality

Many people live lives that look “successful” on the outside but feel hollow inside. This dissonance can lead to:

• Existential questioning: “Is this really what I want?”

• Emotional unrest: Anxiety, dissatisfaction, or a sense of being lost.

• Transformation: A desire to change careers, relationships, or lifestyle to better reflect one's truth.

3. Truth as a Journey, Not a Destination

Living truthfully isn’t a one-time decision—it’s a daily practice. It evolves as you grow and learn more about yourself. It involves:

• Listening to your inner voice.

• Letting go of masks and roles that no longer serve you.

• Embracing vulnerability and imperfection.

4. Truth in Relationships

Authenticity in relationships means:

• Expressing your real thoughts and feelings.

• Setting boundaries that honor your needs.

• Choosing connections that nourish your soul, not just your image.

5. Writing Your Truth

The metaphor of writing a page in the book of life is powerful. To live truthfully is to write your own story, not one dictated by others. It’s about:

• Owning your narrative.

• Revising chapters when needed.

• Leaving behind a legacy that reflects who you truly were.

Journaling Your Truth

Journaling about living your truth is a powerful way to connect with your authentic self, reflect on your values, and track your growth. Here are some ideas and prompts to help guide your journaling practice:

What Does “Living Your Truth” Mean to You?

Start by defining it in your own words. You might reflect on:

• What values are most important to you?

• When do you feel most aligned with your true self?

• Are there areas of your life where you feel you're not being fully authentic?

Journaling Prompts

Here are some prompts to explore regularly:

1. Today, I felt most like myself when...

2. I’m proud of myself for...

3. A moment I compromised my truth was... Why did I do it?

4. What beliefs or fears hold me back from living authentically?

5. What does my ideal, truth-aligned life look like?

6. What small step can I take today to live more truthfully?

Tips for Deepening Your Practice

• Be honest, not perfect. Your journal is a safe space.

• Write freely. Don’t worry about grammar or structure.

• Revisit entries. Notice patterns, growth, and recurring themes.

• Use affirmations. Example: “I honor my truth and live it boldly.”

So was I living my truth? The short answer was no, a topic that I explore in my book Behind the Facade.

Another Page

As the sun slowly rises in the east

The darkness of the night retreats

Its warm glow floods through the window

Rekindling the fire within

Prompting me to write another page

In this book of life.

While many pages have been written already

16,000 and counting

Many of them have been turned over

Never to be read again.

The story of my past is etched into my skin

By a means often unknown.

The scars of time tell a story

A story of conflict, confusion, pain, and suffering

But those pages are from a time gone by.

This story has sculpted me

It has made me who I am

It has shaped my mind

It has crafted my physical form

It has given me my heart

A heart that now beats to a new tune

I may not be a sculptural masterpiece

But I am me and that is enough.

Almost a year has passed.

Since the day I added the first page to this chapter.

In that time many things have changed

Many things have evolved –

Treatments have commenced

Treatments that are helping to redefine myself.

Much more is to come

As another page is added to the book of life.

The latest pages talk of the power of acceptance

The power of love

The power of friendship.

The pages have allowed me to be me

And accept who I am.

They are empowering and all encompassing.

I wrap myself in these words

Like the blanket which keeps me warm at night.

While it's unclear how the pages will evolve

All I know is that they will.

The pages will reflect a bright future

A future filled with hope

A future filled with love

A future filled with friendship and laughter.

The warm glow of the sun will continue

Flooding my world

And illuminating my path

Even when it is dark

Inspiring yet another page in the book of life

My new life.