“All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.” – Galileo Galilei
The truth can be hidden. People have to open their eyes and search for the truth.
Many truths are concealed from people. Uncovering them is up to us and requires effort, but once revealed, they become apparent.
Jesus spoke about the truth being hidden from unbelievers.
“Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’” (Matthew 13:11-13, NIV)
Truth gives individuals the power to make informed decisions that shape their lives and the world around them.
Does The Media Assign What We Think?
The media wields immense power in how we view the world. You must be critical about what your news sources tell you—both those that are aligned and those that are not aligned with your belief system.
The media often crafts stories in ways that align with specific agendas or to capture attention rather than simply presenting unbiased facts.
“The media is not here to inform you; they are here to manipulate you.” – Scott Adams
Through repeated exposure to specific narratives, framing techniques, and selective reporting, the media can subtly shape our beliefs, priorities, and values.
News can be biased, and selling itself as the truth or the authority against misinformation can often guide our emotional responses before we can analyze the facts.
Social media algorithms amplify this effect by curating content tailored to our preferences and biases.
Traditional media and social media create echo chambers where we’re constantly fed ideas that reinforce our beliefs while filtering out opposing viewpoints.
The result?
Our worldview becomes narrowed.
Why Do We Hide From The Truth?
Hiding from the truth can significantly hinder personal development, creating barriers to growth, self-awareness, and meaningful progress.
For example, imagine someone who has been overspending for years, relying on credit cards and ignoring mounting debt.
They hide from the truth of their financial situation because it feels overwhelming and uncomfortable to confront.
They continue to ignore their spending habits, hiding from the truth of their situation. They always focus on the lie that the problem will somehow resolve itself.
Why do people hide from reality?
- Fear of Pain and Change. The truth can be uncomfortable or even painful. Acknowledging it might force us to confront realities we aren’t ready to face, such as mistakes, failures, or personal flaws. It is much easier to continue to spend than sacrifice the immediate gratification of spending money on what we want. Facing our fears is difficult if we have not developed the experience and discipline to face them.
- Preservation of Ego. All of us are guilty of this. How many times has pride gotten in our way of accepting the truth? Accepting certain truths challenges our self-image or identity. Denial can be a defense mechanism to protect the ego from being hurt or diminished. You see this example when people always blame others for missed deadlines, refusing to acknowledge their poor planning and lack of clear communication. We can only foster a more productive environment that will eventually lead to success by accepting the truth and addressing the root cause of problems.
- Social Pressure. Following socially acceptable behavior can be one of the most significant reasons people cannot see the truth. Admitting the truth can conflict with societal norms, group beliefs, or expectations. Many of us may avoid the truth to maintain harmony with the people around us and prevent judgment. This is not a formula for success.
- Cognitive Dissonance. This one is very difficult to prevent. We are all potentially susceptible to it. At The Day Warrior, we always talk about staying strong, sticking to our values, and fighting hard for what we believe in. When truth contradicts our deeply held beliefs, it creates discomfort. Cognitive dissonance is a psychological state when a person experiences conflict between their beliefs, values, or attitudes and their actions, behaviors, or new information. This is one to be especially careful of, as we can all fall for it, no matter how open-minded we think we are.
These are just a few reasons why we might hide from the truth. Facing the truth requires courage and self-awareness, but it’s often the first step toward growth, healing, and meaningful change.
Why Should We Seek The Truth?
Knowing the truth fosters trust in relationships, as honesty builds a foundation of mutual respect and understanding.
It allows us to discuss our problems openly and honestly and work together to resolve them.
The search for truth is valuable for several key reasons:
- Foundation for Knowledge and Growth: Truth-seeking leads to genuine understanding, fostering intellectual and personal growth. By striving to know the truth, we become more informed, allowing for better decision-making and more profound insights into ourselves and the world around us. Seeking the truth is foundational to becoming the best versions of ourselves.
- Personal Integrity and Authenticity: Living by truth helps us to align our actions with our values, fostering authenticity and integrity. It empowers us to live consistently based on clear principles, building self-respect and trust with others. Truthfulness allows us to develop and maintain strong relationships with the people in our lives who can help us improve.
- Emotional and Psychological Well-being: Knowing and accepting the truth, even when uncomfortable, can reduce cognitive dissonance and inner conflict. Facing reality, rather than avoiding or distorting it, can lead to greater emotional resilience and mental clarity. We talk about this all the time at The Day Warrior. We must face our fears, which can be accepting the truth. Sometimes, facing the truth about our shortcomings or other things in life is required before we can open the doors to the path that leads to something better.
- Ethical and Moral Guidance: Truth serves as a compass for ethical behavior. It helps differentiate right from wrong, promoting justice and fairness. When we prioritize truth, we are better equipped to address injustices and create systems that work for the collective good. Our values define who we are. There can be long-term consequences when you hide your values or sacrifice them for a short gain. Stay true to your values.
- Building Meaningful Relationships: Trust is the cornerstone of solid relationships, and truth fosters trust. Being truthful with ourselves and others enhances communication and deepen connections, making relationships more meaningful and lasting. Surrounding yourself with trusted people who find joy in your success is critical to your development, discipline, and commitment to becoming the best version of yourself.
- Empowerment and Freedom: The truth liberates us from ignorance, illusion, and manipulation. In personal, social, and political contexts, truth grants us the power to think critically, make informed choices, and resist oppression or deceit. This kind of truth goes beyond the knowledge we learn in school. It comes with the experiences we develop in life, facing challenges, opening our minds to new ideas, and opening the doors to new opportunities. Freedom is not free; you can not just learn the truth by watching a news show or podcast. It comes from hard work and experience working through our challenges.
In essence, the search for truth is a pursuit that shapes our understanding, enriches our character, and fosters a more just and harmonious society.
How Do We Start The Journey Towards Truth?
Leading a life where we stick to our values and embrace the truth requires conscious effort, self-awareness, and consistent practice.
This is not easy in today’s social media-driven society.
- Define Your Guiding Principles & Values. Take time to identify the principles that matter most to you, such as integrity, compassion, or growth. Write them down and reflect on how they align with your daily actions. Your guiding principles are your core beliefs. Guiding principles are important because they are fundamental values or beliefs. They shape and influence our behaviors, decisions, and actions. In my case, they are my moral compass, a set of standards I use to navigate my challenges. Guiding principles provide a framework to help me make ethical choices and ensure consistency in my decision-making. They are a north store where I can search for the truth.
- Practice Self-Awareness. Regularly evaluate your thoughts and behaviors to ensure they align with your values. Journaling or mindfulness practices can help you identify when you’re drifting from your principles. We must hold ourselves accountable, and practicing self-awareness is the ultimate form of accountability and searching for the truth. When considering self-discipline, responsibility, and personal growth, we must rely on ourselves for accountability. We have to hold ourselves accountable. We have to take ownership of our actions and decisions. We have to be truthful about ourselves before finding truth in other things.
- Surround Yourself With Like-Minded People. You have to be careful with this one. Surrounding yourself with like-minded people can also become an echo chamber that prevents you from seeing alternative positions. But at the same time, spending time with individuals who share or respect your values is essential. They will support your journey and hold you accountable when you face challenges. They can encourage you to take a true and honest reflection on what you believe. They can provide a diverse perspective within a closely shared set of values. If they are a trusted group, they will hold you accountable and challenge you to find the truth in all things. Like-minded individuals can help identify when emotions or biases cloud your judgment. They provide clarity and reason, encouraging you to approach situations objectively.
By committing to these steps, you can lead a life of integrity and authenticity, inspiring others while searching for the truth.
These are just a few ideas, and I will publish future newsletters or training course materials to take an in-depth look at this topic. Please let me know your own experiences in this area. I would love you hear from you and learn from you.
The Day Warrior
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“Never blindly accept what you read online. Always challenge it with an open and critical mind.” – The Day Warrior
