Thursday, April 28, 2011

In Search of Truth

I was pondering the words truth and freedom this morning, and how they relate to one another. I looked up the word "truth" on webster.com: "Sincerity in action, character, and utterance; fact: the body of real things, events, and facts: actuality; transcendent fundamental or spiritual reality; a judgment, proposition or idea that is true; the body of true statements and propositions; the property of being in accord with fact or reality."

Digesting that, I realized how hard it is to be seekers of truth in ALL areas of life. On a personal level, we struggle with admitting our character flaws. Somehow to admit we're wrong or weak freaks us out. It's much easier to sanitize our flaws and transform them into "quirks" or blame others for our reactions. Claiming responsibility for both our actions and reactions requires a strength we often don't possess. It takes courage and humility to own up to our imperfections, and we often don't possess those qualities in enough abundance to withstand the sense of shame encountered in admitting we're flawed.

Another tactic of truth avoidance is to proclaim that there are "many truths", which is actually a load of crap. There are not many truths. Either it's raining outside or it's not, and either God is real or He isn't, and your or my opinion of the matter isn't going to affect that truth in the least.

Truth is no longer fashionable or politically correct; lies are the rage nowadays. Politicians, news reporters, and world-wide leaders, for example, lie without compunction or consequence. It's astounding that we cooperate with the anti-truth campaign and go about our business as if it doesn't concern us that our country functions on lies!

Onto freedom. What does that word really mean? Once again I turned to webster.com: "the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action; liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another; independence: the quality or state of being exempt or released usually from something onerous; ease, facility; the quality of being frank, open, or outspoken; boldness of conception or execution; unrestricted use." Wow! Are we really free? Or are we too afraid of the opinions and potential rejection of others that may result once they know our true selves? Are we terrified they will see us for who we REALLY are and want nothing to do with us? That is not freedom; it is slavery.

Truth and freedom. At what point to we desire these above acceptance and comfort? Psalm 51:6 states, "Surely You desire truth in the inmost parts" (NIV). And then Psalm 119:45-46: "I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out Your precepts. I will speak of Your statues before kings and will not be put to shame."

Monday, April 18, 2011

Under Construction, literally!

I chose to call my blog "Under Construction" for two reasons-one, this blogspot is literally under construction, and two, as a person, I am under construction, and I've finally come to peace with that notion. None of us will reach perfection in this life and we better get over it! In my younger years I spent countless hours beating myself up for my many failures (I still indulge in that stupid activity from time to time...hard to teach an old dog new tricks), but I AM better, and I'm living proof that change is possible.

I guess that's why I decided at this stage of life to get a new career-that of a life coach. So many of us struggle on a day to day basis feeling dissatisfied with ourselves, our lot in life, our inability to perform or succeed, and just the general notion we're basically losers. I want to help reverse that mentality, and I truly think it's possible. Some of my type A friends will wonder what the heck I'm even prattling about-this is not for you peeps-you were either trained right, figured it out on your own, or born with the accomplishment gene. Love ya's (as they say in Butte), but get outta here and go look at recipes or something! Some of my type Z friends will say, "Who cares? What's the big deal with failure?" You've been blessed with a special personality. Go lay on the couch :).

The rest of us, probably most of us if we're honest, need a cheerleader and coach in our lives! So let's get busy and start coaching ourselves out of our slumps and move forward. Change is Good!