Do we really learn about life truths as we grow up? Do we ever grow up? There are lots of things that get in the way. We are conditioned by family, education, religion and social media. They are all telling us what we should do, how we should look and what we should even think!
Here are ten life truths which will help you to keep focused and set you free.
1. You know that perfection is impossible.
Parents, governments, schools and companies set high standards. There is nothing wrong with that at all. Having high ideals to aim for is great; just do not expect perfection, as perfection is just an illusion. Recognize your limits and try to work on correcting defects.
2. You know that you will make mistakes.
Yes, you are going to screw up, make blunders and gaffes. The worst thing you can do is to try to cover them up, blame others or just plow on as if nothing had happened. These are all bad moves.
Instead, say sorry if someone is hurt or damaged in some way. Make a promise to do better the next time. Learning lessons from failure is an essential life skill.
3. You have to do something.
Lots of people glory in their wonderful human qualities. They pat themselves on the back for being kind, compassionate and honest. But unless they actually do something to demonstrate that they have all these qualities, they come across as losers and fakes. Look at the famous Glengarry Glenn Ross video where Alec Baldwin tells the losing salesmen that they might be great family men, but they suck as salesmen. They have to get up and close the deals; otherwise they will be sacked.
(NSFW: some adult language is present in the following video).
4. You can do much more than you think.
“Sometimes life knocks you on your ass… get up, get up, get up!!! Happiness is not the absence of problems, it’s the ability to deal with them.”
—Steve Maraboli
How often do you feel overwhelmed at the sheer height of the mountain that you have to climb? That new project your boss has given you may seem like an impossible task. But just stand back for a moment and repeat to yourself how much experience and skills you have and also reflect on your past successes.
5. You have to be less severe with yourself.
We set some impossible goals for ourselves. We want to be the best, the most intelligent, the most competent and the most successful. This is why we are so self-critical. Being kind and compassionate with others is fine, but sometimes you forget yourself. A much better approach is to set more realistic goals which match your skills set. If time management is your problem, try to get that right before taking on that enormous challenge.
6. You are aware of your prejudices and bias.
“Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.”
—Marcus Aurelius
One of the most difficult life truths to accept is the fact that you see everything through spectacles which are tinted with bias and prejudices. This colors everything you think, feel and are passionate about. This is your truth. Bias is the default position. You project that on to people you meet. So, you have preconceived ideas about people with weight problems, different race, sexual orientation. If you are not sure about this, why not take the Implicity Association Test (IAT) (Social Attitudes) organized by the University of Harvard.
7. You are not prepared to compromise on your values.
You know that certain values are vital to your existence and your social relationships. Your work ethic is sacred and your desire for honesty and transparency in all your dealings is admired and respected. You are the one who shows by example and nobody will ever say that you should practice what you preach. This is a treasure that you must always safeguard because it is the key to self-fulfillment.
8. You know how to deal with fear and stress.
“You must learn to let go. Release the stress. You were never in control anyway.”
—Steve Maraboli
A lot of the stress you feel is related to negative thinking getting out of control and irrational fears about what might happen. Try these tips for taking care of yourself when things get tough. The stress will not disappear, but it will become more manageable.
9. You are in control.
If you are in control of your life, you will be less vulnerable. But it is not always so easy. Do you know that feeling when things start to get out of control and you have the horrible feeling that you are a puppet on a string?
Here are some ways that you can regain control:
- Think less about the past failures.
- Stop asking the question, ‘What if…..?’
- Try to be less dependent on others for simple decisions.
- Stop putting things off.
- Make a daily list of things to do which will make you feel better.
- Always include one task that you have been putting off for some time.
10. You know how to handle truth.
The desire for truth permeates every level of our lives, from the law courts, government, religion and our own personal relationships. If there is any suspicion of a lack of honesty, we are furious. It leads to mistrust and can be corrosive and toxic. Innocuous questions about your partner’s cooking or their latest outfit may require more kindness than honesty.
But are you prepared to tell and demand the truth when it comes to your own and your partner’s failings and weaknesses? Sometimes, these questions and answers can hurt or be hurtful. If you can deal with that, then you can really be set free.
“Three things cannot be long hidden, the sun, the moon, and the truth.”
—Buddha
Featured photo credit: beautiful young woman opened her hands with delight at the blue sea and sky via shutterstock.com
