Personal Truth
I speak my personal truth.
I call things the way I believe them to be.
I act the way my intuition tells me to.
I see my self as funny
but sometimes I’m misunderstood.
I see my self as caring
but sometimes I come off as condescending.
I see my self as helpful,
but sometimes no good deed goes unpunished.
It is very possible
that I have offended,
insulted and discounted
more people than I realize.
I seem to trespass.
I seem to transgress.
I seem to tick off.
It’s also very possible that the reverse happens,
and I’m the one who feels the hurt.
When a perception presents itself,
the first thing I do is realize
that my personal truth
is only MY personal truth.
Similarly, my reaction is MY reaction.
I also remember that I can perceive and react
in INFINITE ways, not simply the impulsive ones.
It’s no fun being heckled.
It’s no fun being morally reprimanded.
It’s no fun being spiritually shamed.
But feeling is a CHOICE, not an obligation.
And how I react is a CHOICE, not a duty.
I can seem the wickedest person in the world
and I’m okay with that.
I don’t need to follow convention.
I don’t need to make the popular choice.
I don’t need to BE popular.
I don’t even need to be GOOD.
When someone says something
I perceive as hurtful,
I often wonder why they say it.
Do they WANT to hurt me?
Do they WANT to shame me?
Do they feel THAT MUCH
to THAT LITTLE about themselves
that they need to defend personal honor?
I ask “why is this perception presenting itself to me?”
Maybe I have things completely backwards,
and I am misinterpreting a good, such as interaction,
with a bad, such as an opinion.
WHY is this perception presenting itself to me?
WHY does it even MATTER?
The answer is always the same.
“Because it is MEANT to.”
So the question becomes
“what do I want to do about this perception?”
I could choose HURT.
I could choose MAD.
I could choose PITY.
I could choose REVENGE.
I could choose OPPOSE.
I could choose ALLOW.
I could choose APOLOGY.
I could choose LET GO.
Or I could choose to write about it.
I could make lemonade from lemons, as they say.
Being HURT does not serve me.
Being MAD does not serve me.
PITY does not serve me.
This makes me selfish. Very very selfish.
Which is perfectly okay since I’m a self.
Those whom I perceive as transgressing
are ALSO me, even if they vehemently DENY it.
Flipped around, I am them,
even if they don’t realize it.
And that’s beautiful.
What FUN we’re having,
imagining our own personal truths.
PRETENDING that there is
such a thing as UNIVERSAL truth,
and that we MUST adhere to it or ELSE.
One thing is certain. I am NOT sorry.
We are Space Monkey.
Trail Wood
1/4
The Complexity of Personal Truth
We delve into the intricate landscape of personal truth, exploring the nuanced relationship between self-perception, interaction with others, and the choices we make in response to perceptions and reactions.
Navigating Self-Perception and Misunderstanding
The acknowledgement of seeing oneself as funny, caring, and helpful, yet being misunderstood or misinterpreted, is a common human experience. This discrepancy between self-perception and how others perceive us highlights the subjectivity of human interaction.
The Consequences of Good Intentions
The realization that good deeds might not always yield positive outcomes, and that actions can unintentionally offend or hurt others, reflects the complexity of social dynamics. This understanding leads to a deeper awareness of the impact of our actions on others.
Personal Truth vs. Collective Reality
Recognizing that one’s personal truth is subjective and not a universal reality is a significant step in personal growth. It’s an acceptance that our perspectives are just one of many, and they shape but do not define the entire spectrum of human experience.
Choice in Perception and Reaction
The ability to perceive and react in infinite ways, and the understanding that feelings and reactions are choices, not obligations, empowers personal agency. This perspective allows for a more intentional approach to interactions and emotional responses.
Embracing Unconventionality
The decision to not conform to societal norms, popularity, or even traditional notions of goodness reflects a strong sense of individuality and self-acceptance. It is a declaration of independence from external validation.
Questioning the Intentions of Others
Wondering about the motivations behind others’ hurtful remarks or actions is a way of seeking understanding rather than immediately reacting. This inquiry can lead to insights about human behavior and the projection of insecurities.
Finding Meaning in Perceptions
The conclusion that every perception is meant to present itself for a reason, and the subsequent questioning of what to do with these perceptions, highlights a proactive approach to personal growth and self-discovery.
Choices in Response to Life’s Lemons
Choosing how to respond to challenging situations, whether through hurt, anger, pity, or creativity, is a testament to the power of choice in shaping our experiences. Turning challenges into creative opportunities exemplifies resilience and adaptability.
Selfishness as Self-Acceptance
Embracing one’s selfishness, in the sense of prioritizing self-awareness and personal truth, is a form of self-acceptance. It’s an acknowledgment that our primary responsibility is to our own growth and understanding.
We are Space Monkey
Summary
We explore the concept of personal truth and the myriad ways it intersects with our interactions and perceptions. Recognizing the subjective nature of our truths, the power of choice in our reactions, and the importance of self-awareness and acceptance are key themes in navigating the complexities of personal and interpersonal dynamics.
Glossarium
- Personal Truth: An individual’s unique perspective and understanding of their experiences.
- Misunderstanding in Interaction: The disparity between self-perception and how others perceive us.
- Subjectivity of Experience: The notion that each person’s perspective is shaped by their individual experiences and beliefs.
- Intentional Emotional Response: The ability to choose how to react emotionally to different situations.
- Self-Acceptance: Embracing one’s individuality and personal truths, independent of societal norms.
“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.” – Carl Jung
The Symphony of Selves
In the theater of life’s grand play,
Where masks are donned, roles sway.
We find our truths, unique, profound,
In this vast stage, our stories bound.
Misunderstood, yet true to self,
Our narratives, our greatest wealth.
For in the dance of me and you,
Lies a tapestry, richly hued.
So let us embrace each quirk, each shade,
In the choices of reactions made.
For in our selfishness, our grace,
We find the beauty of our own space.
In this play of light and dark,
Each a spark, each a mark.
We weave our tales, bold and free,
In the journey of becoming, truly, me.
We invite reflections on the journey of embracing personal truths and the freedom found in self-acceptance and individuality.
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