What is truth? Truth can be briefly defined as the point where experience, observation, perception, and interpretation collide to form the foundation of our beliefs. However, truth is not the same for everyone. Due to diplomacy, opinion, flexibility, principles, morality, and countless other factors, truth is often subjective and open to objection.
Consider a simple question: “How do you feel this morning?”
Imagine that last night, you went to the park for an evening walk and it began to rain. You stepped into a large puddle, soaking your shoes, which you needed to wear today. Now, it’s winter, and you’re standing outside at the Metro stop with freezing feet, muttering to yourself, “I don’t feel well. I have so much to do today.”
That’s true. Your schedule is packed: opening the studio in 40 minutes, a call at 11, and confirming the time and place for a lunch meeting later.
On top of that, your feet are freezing, and you stayed up until 1:15 a.m. watching Netflix.
Feeling unwell, blaming the schedule, the cold, and tiredness—all true. But overall? You’re happy, in good health, and your bills are paid. So, you could also truthfully say, “I’m well, and tomorrow will be better.”
This simple question reveals how flexible truth can be.
Even larger, seemingly objective questions don’t always yield universally agreed-upon answers. Take, for instance, the question of whether the Earth is round. Science has documented and measured its shape, and NASA has photographed it. Yet, not everyone believes the Earth is round. Some believe it’s flat.
At the collective level, humanity is not fully sold. So, the statement “humanity considers the Earth to be round” isn’t universally true. The same principle applies to nearly everything.
If we continue asking questions, even with evidence, we’ll find that humans as a collective rarely agree on anything. This doesn’t mean outlier beliefs are correct, but it highlights the complexity of defining universal truths.
Take something as fundamental as being alive. While most would agree that a thinking person present and breathing is alive, we don’t universally agree on something as basic as the Earth’s shape. Why? Because belief systems are shaped by localized conditions, experiences, and interpretations unique to each individual.
Given this, it’s easy to conclude that “absolute truth” doesn’t exist. This concept can be both fascinating and unsettling.
Truth, even at a personal level, is fluid. As sentient beings, we cannot fully access the experiences, memories, or thoughts of others. We don’t even always understand the origins of our own beliefs. Often, we believe something simply because others do, or because our biases adapt to justify even contradictory positions.
It’s worth reevaluating our beliefs, shifting perspectives, and updating our “truths” as we learn and grow. Even the dictionary undergoes constant revision.
Consider historical truths: People once believed humans could not fly. The Wright Brothers proved that wrong. Similarly, Thomas Edison’s invention of the lightbulb revolutionized our understanding of energy and light. Imagine explaining these truths to ancient Greeks—they’d likely consider you a lunatic.
Challenging our understanding expands our consciousness. The pursuit of truth generates curiosity, exploration, and growth. Laughter can also do this, lightening our load and elevating our mood. Imagine laughing at how absurdly flexible truth can be—it’s both liberating and humbling.
One of the toughest addictions to break is the need to be right. Overcoming this requires accepting that absolute truth doesn’t exist. As Socrates said, “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.”
Our challenges in life often stem from choices informed by our beliefs. “Right” and “wrong,” like truth, are not absolute—they depend on perspective. Making courageous decisions requires awareness of the beliefs that influence our actions.
Lying, even small “white lies,” further complicates our relationship with truth. Lies require effort to maintain and often lead to instability. The metaphorical ground beneath us shifts, and the consequences are ours alone.
In truth, we know very little about our influence on our own experiences. Why does our heart keep beating? Why does the wind blow? When did it all begin? These questions, though profound, often go unexamined as we focus on the immediate: what we see, feel, hear, and believe in the moment.
This rapid processing of information informs our choices and actions, sometimes leading us to utter the simple phrase, “I’m fine,” despite deeper complexities.
The question remains: Are we making choices aligned with the happiness and fulfillment we seek? Are we aware of the beliefs that guide our behavior?
By observing our actions, words, and decisions, we gain insight into what we truly believe. Awareness of these beliefs allows us to take greater accountability for our lives.
Truth, then, is not a fixed point but an evolving understanding shaped by perspective, experience, and choice. Are you aware of the beliefs shaping your truth? And are you open to expanding them?