Is Clarity Supposed to be a Curse?

Only if truth makes you uncomfortable.

“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.” — Oscar Wilde (The Importance of Being Earnest)

In the early days of dating a guy last year, I had texted him with, “It’s okay to call again. I know you’re afraid that I would think it was weird, and too soon, but stop worrying.”

He immediately called.

There was a bit of a delay as he confessed that was exactly what he had been thinking. He was sitting there, phone in hand, second-guessing himself that it was too soon to call.

And that’s when he asked how I knew. How did I invade his very thoughts? He further queried how I had the confidence to say it out loud. He felt like he was naked in public; he said. Exposed and vulnerable.

I honestly have no answer how I have the clarity to the degree to which I possess it. It’s not all the time, but appears randomly upon its choosing. A lack of a strong filter allows declarations of reality to glide easily out of my mouth.

I don’t know how to change that aspect of me.

Honestly, I have no desire to squash it.

It’s not a curse but a blessing because I live comfortably in truth.

My clarity and freedom to share my thoughts reveal the like-minded, confident, or self-assured people who don’t mind blatant, polite frankness at all. It kind of works in my favor in identifying compatibility.

It also quickly unearths authenticity, or a lack thereof.

Many people don’t feel comfortable with someone peeking behind their mask. They wear it for a reason and have come to rely on it.

What makes people uncomfortable with truth?

To me, growing, learning, and evolving seem like such natural goals, as well as normal responses to fully embrace life. Communicating thoughts, vulnerabilities, concerns, or simple personal questions flow easily from me. This is not so for many.

Emotional development can be a tricky and sensitive subject.

However, if we don’t stretch and use our muscles, we risk atrophy.

Apply that same proven concept to your heart, mind, and psyche, and you can see the same lack of emotional stretching will cause your quality of life wasting away. You will delay and inhibit your sense of self, at the very least, by not developing and nurturing your emotional awareness.

People hate to hear that. They don’t want to talk about emotional issues and get visibly squirmy if you almost peek into their soul.

When you strip away protective natures, masks, or the gameplay, it comes down to the nut of truth.

Truth.

According to Beliefnet, there are reasons people avoid the truth:

It’s Easier

Commitment

Avoiding Emotions

Changes

The Ego

Letting Go

Discomfort

Hard Choices

Freedom

As with many things, some gravitate naturally to the easiest path in every task. It takes less work to avoid the truth and yet, ultimately, begets more overall difficulties when doing so. Life becomes greyer and less clear without genuine fulfillment. True joy is dulled.

If one commits to a life of truth, then one takes responsibility for their life experiences. All of them. There is no one to blame. Character building takes acceptance, insight, and a willingness to immerse oneself in raw facts. Metaphorically, it is a time for standing naked in front of the mirror.

Avoiding emotions may stem from upbringing. Deeply rooted patterns of putting on a happy face and masking any pain can stay with us. A life of make-believe becomes normal.

We have learned through recent years to place value on all our emotions, good and bad, so we can glean the lesson and aid in processing through them. Many still have not caught on yet, though.

The truth may be daunting enough that we avoid it. Changes that will most likely result in revealing it may be dramatic. Deep down, we know we will have to go through some dark hallways to get to the positive light on the other side. This requires strength to come out of our comfort zones of the façade we have built.

We protect our carefully crafted image; we protect our ego. Opening the mind to embrace truth will not only cause others to view us differently, but may seem like a shock to the system. The ego is strong enough to dissuade anyone from taking on the job of rebuilding. The true version must be addressed from the inside out.

This also requires cutting the ties that bind and letting go of routines and patterns that were limiting growth. Trusting in oneself that whatever is around that blind corner will be for the greater good. Letting go is scary, however, letting go is necessary to move forward.

The very essence of self-truth and the key is to allow ourselves to be vulnerable. We must tough it out through the initial discomfort. Taking that mask off, which has become part of you, will not only be uncomfortable but freeing. You will discover how much of the real you has been shielded from judgment.

Per Beliefnet:

Facing the truth means we will have to make “hard” choices. These choices may feel risky to the Ego, but they are certainly safe and exciting to the soul. The scarier the choice feels, the more likely we are headed in the direction of our truth.

Freedom may almost feel like a guilty pleasure. Hiding from, or avoiding, the truth, becomes so familiar that a free life may be intimidating and overwhelming. By embracing your true self, you will be creating a new history for yourself that will become just as comfortable, if not infinitely more so.

You will be free of the mask and live lighter ~ everyone benefits from your wellness.

Let’s face it, life has veered into filtered presentations across social media, reality television, and an idolization of false Gods, which have invaded our very souls.

We have the choice to put them into the pockets where they belong. Keep them in the background as entertainment only. Let’s not embrace falsehoods as a lifestyle. Like invasive ivy, mistruths are eroding our very foundations.

We don’t have to be plastic.

It is never too late to pull off the masks. Our world is one of a new recognition of equality, one of acceptance, and inclusivity. It is certainly far from perfect, but we can take one step closer each day. Each person who sheds their outer layer of protectiveness and proudly walks in their truth will pave the way for an even better tomorrow.

A future of mental wellness for all.

Reap the benefits of living in truth. It’s so much easier.

“If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.” — Mark Twain

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