Tell me the truth, nothing but the truth
I listened to Peter Russell’s talk on youtube about conscience and it was interesting. He starts off by quoting René Descartes’s point that one can always question ideas, views, philosophy, what you see, etc. However, the only truth that can be proven is that one is experiencing something. Science has proven many ideas wrong throughout history. When it comes to what we see, our senses may play tricks on us so sometimes, we can’t be sure of what we see. A classic example is the dress. So what I see doesn’t have to be real, it is what I think is real according to my perspective. Someone else next to me may be seeing something else. For example, if 2 people were watching a scary movie, one person may be thinking this is an amazing experience and having a blast. The other person may be pretending to enjoy but in reality, he or she is probably feeling super scared on the inside and having a terrible time. Thus, we can never really assume what the reality is. The only reality is that I am experiencing the act of trying to see something as is everyone else present also doing the same. Everyone has their own truth, and I can’t hate on people based on their views. Their lives and perspectives are made up based on the patterns, lifestyles, communities, and beliefs they’ve seen and grew up around. It’s not fair for me to completely say someone is wrong when they express an opinion different than mine because, in fact, that is a truth they are experiencing just like we all are based on our own journey.
How much of your childhood have you thought about?
If you had strict parents, you may grow up feeling like you were in a cage. Parents that were never around for support when you were expressing how you felt may contribute to why you have a hard time expressing yourself emotionally once you become an adult. If you have parents who were inconsistent with the way they would support you, you may grow up to think highly of others but often suffer from low self-esteem. But is it fair to blame your parents? A lot of times, they inherit the way they do things based on the way they were raised. There were other variables in play as well as how much information was available to be a better parent. I think we live in a revolutionary time where we are spending a lot of time reflecting on who we are and what the reasons are for how we got here with the help of the internet to get answers at our fingertips. I’ve never gone to therapy, but I hear the first thing a lot of therapists ask is to tell me about your parents. I think people go to therapy because clearly, they have unanswered questions about themselves. It’s wild to see how your childhood may have had a huge impact on how you are shaped to become today. It may even come down to one event that occurred in your childhood that could be the demon you need to address as an adult.
Chaos is good
The butterfly effect is an interesting theory, a small flap from a butterfly wing in Brazil may create a tornado in Texas. The idea can be applied in many places. For example, one moment that occurred in your childhood may have a huge ripple effect on who you become today and what your truth is. This is scary to think about but it is also valuable to know because searching for those moments can give you clarity and better self-awareness. It’s also great because you can choose to live the life you want moving forward also. When you are staying in your bubble and doing a bunch of predictable activities and partaking in repetitive conversations, the impact and outcome will be more predictable and deterministic. However, if you decide to try something new every day or travel around the world to meet new people and try all sorts of different activities, the possibilities are endless. The effect you are making in the world and the effect it has on you has completely changed to a whole new level. Your truth will be completely different, so different, that your bubble may never understand you again. The more you surround yourself with people with different opinions and perspectives, the more you allow yourself to change.
Book a flight to somewhere today
So basically, the most important thing you can do in the future is to become more curious. When you meet someone new, you can never predict what that person has been through or where they have been. When you listen, you will hear their truth. From the truth, it may even open your eyes to new perspectives. You should be curious about new ideas, philosophy, places, activities, food, etc. So many learning experiences are out there. Our brain is a very sophisticated machine where it’s really good at connecting dots from different things we have experienced to make you into a unique individual. This is just my opinion, of course, to each and their own. Some enjoy the comfort of being in their bubbles and not having too many disruptive thoughts. I guess this is meant for those that feel tired of the same and need a little inspiration for something new.
