Truth

Integrity matters.

Honesty matters.

Truth matters.

Whether you like the truth or not does not change the truth. Whether you want the truth to be true or not, doesn’t change the truth.

You can’t be a person of integrity by criticizing the lies of those you dislike and rationalizing away the lies of someone you support. That is being disingenuous and dishonest. It is a big reason why our country is so divided, so hateful, so antagonistic. You can’t have your own version of the truth just because you like it better, then condemn your opponents for doing the same.

You can’t be a person of integrity and say you don’t give a damn about the lies of those on your side while condemning the lies of those you oppose. Pointing to the lies of another does not make the lies you support more true.

Our desire for truth to be what we want it to be instead of what it really is has put us in a constant state of war with each other, with no ability to find common ground. When the truth can’t be our common ground where we can meet; when we are in denial about what the truth is because we are too busy defending our opinions to listen for truth, we have already condemned ourselves.

Until we begin to thirst for pure, unfiltered truth, even when it is painful, even when it is disappointing, even when it is disturbing, and even when it seems to benefit those who oppose our views, we will never find common ground to bridge the massive rifts in our country.

The longer we live in denial of the truth and perpetually promote only what we want to be true, the deeper and wider the divides will grow.

Truth matters.

Intellectual honesty matters.

People of integrity are treasures- beacons of light in a world groping for nothing in the darkness.

Search for truth, not agreement, not reinforcement. Just truth. And regardless of its implications, embrace it. Wrestle with it. Celebrate it. Grieve it. But most of all, live in it.

Be honest.

Be a person of integrity.

Shine a light in the darkness and build a bridge with truth.