Let The Truth Define Your Journey

I know that a comparison like this would seem rather obvious when considering which route I should go. However, through the years, and with my many experiences, I have come to the conclusion that there is a lot more complexity in the world of honesty and the truth.

Now of course, I am not going to sit here, and try to tell you that sometimes being dishonest is the best choice. Because it isn’t. But I have come to find the two sided subject rather interesting. It’s such a huge part for not just me. We all face these ideas so often, that it may very well be thought of on a almost daily basis. I know for me it seems that way.

Honesty has ended up being an incredibly tool for me. I would actually refer to it as a “healing” tool. If I knew then, just how healing it really could be, I would have considered it a very long time ago. It would had saved me, and I could have journeyed into recovery and sobriety much earlier.

One of the best factors of the truth, has been its ability to be a promoter for my recovery. It was the guiding light that I needed, in order to get through all my pain that was stuck inside for the longest time. I once had feared that honesty would hurt all of that more, but it was actually dishonesty that amplified my pain and suffering.

It also can branch out, and it sure did for me. A habit of honesty lead me to one of the greatest discoveries. A discovery and understanding of self respect and comfort in my own skin.

When I finally got honest again, as I was getting sober, I stood stronger, and with more confidence. A confidence that reflected itself in my own foundation. I was mentally telling the truth, but it could be seen physically as well. Body language changed immensely for me.

When a person conversates with me, they know they’re hearing the truth. As well as seeing the truth.

So it became rather clear to me that honesty could have a ripple effect. It could improve more of my areas than I would even expect to. It went further than just being trusted and having confidence. It greatly improved my relationships, and I finally had not only that confidence, but self respect as well.

These realizations and changes were so immense that to me looking back, it feels like they were so much bigger than what they all seemed. I often look at this entire discovery of the value of the truth, as a total spiritual awakening.

It’s been an invaluable lesson for me indeed. It’s something that should be shown to everyone. This isn’t just a lesson that taught me that lies are bad and the truth is good.

This was a learning lesson where the why and the how were also impressed onto me. I wasn’t just preached to about what to do, and what not to do.

I was given the examples of what honesty will bring me, as well as what going against the truth will do to me. Each one affects life in detailed way, in a multileveled fashion. Honesty has deeply changed my entire being. I could never look back now.

By Michael Patanella

Michael Patanella

is a Trenton, New Jersey Author, Publisher, Columnist, Editor, Advocate, and recovering addict, covering topics of mental health, addiction, sobriety, mindfulness, self-help, faith, spirituality, Smart Recovery, social advocacy, and countless other nonfiction topics. His articles, publications, memoirs, and stories are geared towards being a voice for the voiceless. Hoping to reach others out there still struggling.