Inspiration: The truth will set you free, but first, it will piss you off

The Truth will set you free: The phrase “the truth will set you free” is a popular expression that conveys the idea that honesty and facing reality can lead to personal liberation and freedom. It suggests that by embracing the truth, both in our external circumstances and within ourselves, we can break free from the constraints of falsehood, deception, and self-delusion. It highlights the transformative power of truth, as it enables us to make informed decisions, find inner peace, and live authentically. By acknowledging and accepting the truth, we can overcome fear, break free from the chains of ignorance, and experience a greater sense of liberation and empowerment.

Today’s quote analysis is a beautiful quote by Gloria Steinhem – the truth will set you free. In this article, we consider the context of self-improvement and personal journey about truth. As great as it sounds, the truth sometimes can be daunting. This is particularly true when it is unfavourable truth or feedback. While analysing this quote, the 4 important things to consider are: 

• Acceptance of who you are and your situation
• Living without denial 
• Facing challenges and adversities as they are – Truth 
• Deciding what to do about it 

“The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off.”

–Gloria Steinem

The truth will set you free meaning

What does freedom mean to you? For me, freedom is the ability to be carefree and let your mind wander without any restrictions. If I focus on my restrictions, the common ones are

• what will others think of me
• Is it acceptable in the society or my peer group
• What if I lose people because of this
• Maybe I should pretend to be someone else

I’d coin all these as restrictions for being myself. To a certain extent, I will classify them as untrue or lie because, in this process, I am lying to myself. If I keep listening to these thoughts – I will never be free. The truth will set you free, but you will need to allow it first.

Accepting who you are and your situation

Truth is unassuming and free. It doesn’t like constraints -whether it is self-imposed or by the people around us. It isn’t always easy to accept feedback from people or surroundings. For starters, it will make you question the beliefs you have about yourself.Granted that it stings a bit because someone is calling you wrong. But this sting is not the end of the world is it?

Someone is finding something wrong – it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to change. It is just the acknowledgement that it is their truth and sometimes can just be their opinion and nothing else. The crux of this segment is in accepting the truth as it is. Break down the barriers of your ego and the walls you build for yourself. Accept truth as it is. You can then decide what you want to do about it.

Living without denial

Truth is truth – whether you accept it or not, nothing changes. Well, if you accept it and want to change something – it is a different scenario. Denial has nothing to offer but pain. It gives you a false impression and hope about yourself. The only positive thing about denial is that it protects your ego. But it doesn’t challenge you or set you free.

Instead, it gives you a lie to believe in and live with that. Question is – do you want a life of false progress and lies? Or are you open enough to accept things the way they are and then decide to do something about it?

Facing challenges and adversities

The most beautiful aspect of truth is that it is unassuming and a matter of fact. It just is out there. Every emotion of yours is a beautiful signal trying to tell you something. Listen to these truths and hear what your emotions are telling you. Usually, there is a secondary message.

Just like fear is a message that you need to do something to protect yourself, or anger is a message that an event is rattling your emotions. Listen to the scenario and feel your emotions. Look inside to understand what they mean and more importantly what you are willing to do about it. Challenges and adversities are common. It is about how you decide to proceed.

Deciding what to do about the truth

The truth will set you free! There are no two ways about it. It is just a fact or opinion sitting in front of you. The most important results always trace their roots back to your decision making. Truth is nothing but a statement or a reflection of where you are.Change can happen only through your actions. Only they decide how the situation can be impacted.

Don’t shy away from decisions even if they are hard. These decisions have immense power in making use of the truth and achieving your goals and dreams. These truths and decisions are indeed the most powerful assets to help you reach your potential.

With that, I’d like to conclude this article with a reminder of the powerful quote which inspired us for an analysis today

“The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off.”

–Gloria Steinem (Source)