The Story You Want to Hear vs. the Truth Within

The truth within you has practical and philosophical value.

• Your inner truth shapes who you are. Your thoughts dictate your actions, and your actions lead to habits, and habits direct you on a daily basis.
• The truth within reveals your values. It will always disclose what matters to you.
• Your inner truth can help you make important decisions.
• Living by your inner truth leads to personal growth. You can feel like you are your own best friend and greatest supporter.

We often tell ourselves a story while ignoring the truth. Reasons we do this is:

• To protect ourselves or others. Ignoring the truth is a defence mechanism. We'd rather believe a lie than own up to our own weakness.
• Because the truth can be hard to hear.
• Because we're so used to the story. Many people tell themselves the same stories again and again, so it starts to feel like the truth.

However, telling ourselves a lie rarely pays off the way the truth does. Stories we tell ourselves often lead us to adopt beliefs like: "I'm not good enough;" "I always make a mess."

• Recognise when you're telling yourself the story you rather want to hear. If you talk yourself into it or try to justify it, then it's probably a story, not the truth.
• Don't act based on the story. The more you support the story with actions and continued belief, the more you'll get used to thinking that way.
• Identify the story. Complete the sentence, "The story I'm telling myself is..."
• Don't beat yourself up for telling yourself a story.
• Be patient. Discovering your inner truth can take time.
• Invite truth. Listen to your intuition. Stop second-guessing yourself. Create space for the truth, and it will show up.
• Consider all possibilities. They may lead you to truths about yourself that you didn't know.
• When the truth speaks, listen to that inner voice.
• Know what you know, and what you don't.
• Connect with others about the truths inside them.