The truth is…

Bitter

A hard pill to swallow

Harsh

Scary

Daunting

Not something you want to hear.

These are usually the string of words that follow the line nobody in their right mind wants to be confronted with, “the truth is…”. Ever wonder why from the very first time we hear the statement, it is always followed by information that is unacceptable, hurtful, annoying, anger inducing, but in someone else’s belief… life changing?

All great sages talk about truth being liberating, and yet somehow in human practice, truth is more shackling than anything else. The truth is we are all dispensable and while this should set us free, it just makes us sad.

The truth is that I no longer want to hear what the truth is, because it is always followed by people drawing out character flaws or dishing out unsolicited advice.

The truth is I really don’t care. I don’t sit there and advise you on the kind of person you should be or how you should alter the perception other people have of you, because the truth is I am okay with who you are and how you are and I have no earth shattering need to change you.

The truth is people bring real joy to me, their experiences, their fears, their inner most insecurities make me feel more human than comments and shares on any social network do. The truth is I find people stimulating, never ending conversations are the best kind.

But while I am not drawing out your flaws, I would like you to respect that and reciprocate the same way.

Because frankly my dear, the truth is, if I wanted your opinion I would have already asked for it.

The truth is … just that simple. That hard.

Zahra Husain likes to live and think in ways she  is not supposed to and she blogs at http://www.zahrasays.com