There’s something still taking place right now that most people felt has been over with since the 1940’s…a world war.

Even though World War 2 ended in 1945, there’s been a world war going on ever since…

And it’s been cleverly disguised to most people.

No, it’s not World War 3.

It’s an ongoing “tug of war” that can lead into the type of war people think about…while at the same time creates the type of peace people seek.

And naturally it has to do with two opposing sides…

Lying versus Truth.

More specifically…

It involves what happens during the path of going from lies to truth and what people do along the way.

And this very thing occurs whether we’re talking about a world war, your relationships with others, and even the relationship you have with yourself.

At the root of it all is another well-known “F” word…fear.

Because it’s the fear of what happens when the truth is discovered. Even though most people don’t think about this consciously when it comes to the truth this fear is there.

Along with that it is at the very core of who you are.

There’s a quote that says…

“I’d rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I’m not.”

Your ability to live this quote is vital if you’re looking to live a meaningful life where you feel respected, appreciated, and recognized for who you are and all you do.

Most people do not because they fear the truth.

So the question is…

What scares people about the truth

…And what can you do to go beyond this while having the courage to live according to truth?

1. Knee jerk reactions- There’s a well-known quote by Schopenhauer that says, “All truth passes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.”

When you look closely you”ll see this occurring in every situation that involves people on opposing sides of lying vs. truth.

Now of course it will be more obvious in some situations versus others.

For example…

There was a point in time in the world when people were physically threatened (and some even executed) for believing things such as the world is round. The same was true of people who claimed that the Earth moves around the sun.

Of course what we know as truth today at one time was considered a lie.

And this type of thing occurs in every person’s life to some degree.

In fact, it’s very much involved when it comes to discovering the truth about who you are.

Think about it…

How many times have you found yourself saying, “I don’t know what I want” or “I don’t know what my purpose is?”

Anytime someone says this they’re lying about themselves…because the only way someone can say they don’t know what they want is if they’re comparing it to what they do want.

But they’ll say they don’t know what they want for fear of being ridiculed by others (quite often by family members)…and for fear that some perceived “violent” occurrence will take place (“If I follow through on what I’d love to do people may threaten me in some way”).

At this point one of two things will happen…either the person will “break through” and as a result follow through on what they’d love to do and live their truth…

Or…

They’ll live according to what others say they “should”, “have to” and are “supposed” to be doing…hence living a lie.

Therefore…

Whether you’re talking about someone else or yourself there’s still those different types of “knee jerk” reactions that are experienced when transitioning from lies to truth.

And this is the fear that’s involved and what scares people about the truth.

Furthermore…

This gives rise to something else that you (and anyone for that matter) experiences throughout your life…being accountable and responsible.

And the same thing is true here. First it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as truth.

You’ll see this with people who get and expect “handouts” or “freebies” from others…and when the person giving the “handouts” and “freebies” stops giving them they’ll be that “knee jerk” reaction from those who were conditioned to be getting them.

Interestingly, this is what commonly happens when raising your children.

So what it all comes down to is to realize you’ll see this on a regular basis throughout your life…and to understand it’s healthy and a natural part of life.

This is what helps you, I , and every human being effectively grow (and mature). It’s the driving force behind discovering the truth about who you are and the world around you.

This leads to something else about the truth, especially when dealing with other people.

2. The deception and perception of truth- Another part of those “knee jerk” reactions of fear you’ll see is when someone gives their own interpretation of the truth. This is also known as “distorting” the facts…and of course you’ve seen this numerous times from people (and even yourself) throughout your life.

How may times have you seen someone “make stuff up” about a person and/or a situation? It’s happens regularly throughout your life. And the reason for it…they’re scared of the truth.

As a result they’ll make up what they perceive is the truth.

Now of course there is a fine line here…because after all you can have ten people look at a person and/or a situation and you have a high probability of getting ten different versions of it.

So in this case who is telling the truth?

It can be said that one’s truth is based on their own perception of it…and in many cases this ends up being someone’s “justification” of the truth.

However…

It still comes down to getting the facts straight and knowing that there are Universal Truths that apply to all people.

And what are these Universal Truths…

It’s knowing that we all live in a two-sided world. This is realizing that every situation has equal amounts of “positive” and “negative”, along with equal amounts of “benefits” and “drawbacks” to it.

It is also the knowing that all people are two-sided…they are equally “happy” and “sad”, “nice” and “mean”, “giving” and “taking”, “kind” and “cruel”…and that each of these will be needed in certain situations to help others, even though it may not seem like it in that moment.

Why is this important in your life?

Because it takes you out of the “fantasy” of living a one-sided life that leads to the emotional baggage that weighs you down and holds you back…

And brings you into living a life of truth where you embrace both sides of other people, situations, and especially of who you are.

What happens as a result?

You live your life’s purpose. You be your authentic self. You’re less reactive and more proactive. You feel confident and certain about yourself and the different situations life throws at you…

And you discover the greatest gift of all.

3. Loving me, loving you- The third stage that truth passes through in Schopenhauer’s quote is, “It’s accepted as being self-evident.” Said another way…it’s realizing the truth…and one that was there all along.

Now you may be wondering why someone couldn’t realize the truth of something (or someone) that was staring them in the face all along.

It is because they were living according to the one “F” word—fantasy—that led to living a life of the other “F” word—fear.

So what does this have to do with discovering the greatest gift of all in your life?

Because once you “crack” the fantasy that life isn’t one-sided…and embrace both sides…you discover two things:

One…in every crisis there’s a hidden blessing. This guides you to finding the “order” in the chaos. And it’s these ongoing “wars” you experience throughout your life that are designed to benefit your life.

And two, you discover the truth of who you are and in the process appreciate and love yourself for who you are.

As a result…

People will also appreciate and love you for who you are.

Yes, you’ll get some people that won’t no matter what you do.

But it doesn’t matter because when you’re willing to embrace the truth you’ll bring the people into your life that will in some way embrace it as well…

While at the same time those who don’t will drop out of your life.

This is the natural flow of life and it’s healthy.

Remember…

Anything you try and run away from is something you’ll run into. And it’s the same with those who are scared and run away from the truth…

Because those who do will keep drawing in to their lives the things they don’t want.

Whereas…

Those who face the truth have a high probability of bringing in to their lives what they seek…to include the people that appreciates them for who they are and all they do.

And since you’re reading this you are that person…

The one who is destined to live your truth…

The one that was put on this earth to be loved for who you are…

The one who does matter and makes a difference…

And the one who does it in a way that is truthful while helping others do the same…

By having the courage to be your magnificent self.