"Can you handle the truth?"

If you ever watched the film A Few Good Men you may remember Jack Nicholson yells at Tom Cruise in a military court. Cruise wants Nicholson to tell the truth about things he is keeping secret, but Nicholson believes that people say they want the truth but they would rather remain ignorant because they don't want to face up to things they have to deal with. Nicholson yells "you can't handle the truth".

This made me think, once we hear or see a thing we can't un-hear or un-see it, that it may command a response we are not prepared to accept. How many of us have said to someone "come on tell the truth" only when we hear it we can't/don't like it or accept it?

And, how many times did we think we knew someone only to find out they are not what we think?

Well, most of my own life I believe people have thought they knew or understood me; perhaps that's because I have hidden things I didn't want people to see or judge me for, so, doesn't everyone pretend? I believe we do.

I have a way of hiding my feelings, if I have been treated badly, and done this all of my 70 years. Partly because I was brought up to just get on with things; I was never able to tell people who had hurt me just how I felt so I would just smile and pretend I was okay. Didn't talk about it to others just was jolly Jenny, doesn't let things get her down. Now, I have found a new freedom in being just who I am. There are people who just pretend they have no problems in life, just want fun, laughter, to keep busy, don't talk about things, "don't bring me down with your problems" and many more I could mention. Could it be if I am honest they won't see me in the same light as before? That has been my worry, but not any more.

Today I was very honest with a lovely friend and it felt good, but I had to fight the feeling that I was bringing her down with too much information about myself, but I needed for myself to get it out there....the truth. But what I have thought since is however they view me, I'm okay with it, because I am okay with me.

I don't like being too serious and want people to feel good after they have been with me, but if I want to know who my true friends are it will be interesting to see "who can handle the truth" and how they deal with that. True friends will accept me or you the way you are, warts and all. I want to enjoy my life, to laugh, appreciate the things I have been blessed with, not dwell on the past, forgive those who have been unkind to me and move on. To live being kind, compassionate and understanding of others (we all have baggage) we are all just trying to get through life and we need each other to be kind to ourselves and one another.

https://youtu.be/tbsfc6Wn2DU?si=N4H9qSY718PjmUjZ

So, next time someone is trying to share how they feel, they need it, listen to them, care about them; don't just brush them off because you don't want to be 'brought down' by them, they may be hurting, they may be crying out for help; those who may aggravate/annoy you, they all have a story. And, the next time someone is rude/offensive/critical of you and you can't let it wash over you, be truthful, let them handle the truth. Don't let things fester and build up; holding grudges and offences only stays on the inside and cripples. Beautiful things like mercy, love, kindness and forgiveness all lead to an inner peaceful life. So, speak your truth in love and let others handle it how they like.