The truth is like surgery;
it hurts but it heals.
A lie is like a painkiller;
it gives instant relief,
but has lasting side effects.
Bohdi Sanders

Most people in today’s society prefer a nice, easy lie, to the hard cold truth. It is much easier to believe a lie which sounds good, makes you feel better about yourself, and pleases others, than to dig deeper and find the truth, no matter how distasteful it may be.

The truth is like surgery; it may not be pleasant, but it is necessary for continued growth and vibrant life. If you have a tumor that needs to be removed, you have two choices. First, you can bite the bullet, remove it, and move on with your life. It may not be want you want to do, but it is the best thing for you in order for you to heal and move on.

Your second choice is to simply ignore it, take pain pills to mask the pain, and pretend that it doesn’t exist. While this may be the easiest route to take at this point and time, there will be lasting consequences down the road. Sooner or later, the truth of the matter will rear its ugly head and the consequences will be harsh.

This is a good analogy for comparing harsh truths with easy lies. Sometimes the truth hurts and is hard to swallow, but it is always better than pretending it doesn’t exist and swallowing a lie. Ignoring a problem doesn’t make it better; putting it out of your mind doesn’t magically make disappear.

Warriors see life as it truly is, not as they wish it were. It takes strength and determination to call a spade a spade, to see things as they truly are and not as we want them to be. Most people simply prefer to see life as they want it to be, not as it really is. Doing so never changes what is. You are merely putting on blinders so you don’t have to deal with reality. This is the weak person’s way of dealing with life.

The warrior is not weak. He deals with whatever comes his way, and does so with character, honor, and integrity. He has the courage to face the truth instead of hiding behind feel good lies. He prefers to sweep the dirt out of the door, instead of hiding it under the rug. He understands that if you sweep the dirt under the rug, you don’t get rid of it. Just because you can’t see it, that doesn’t mean it is not there.

Have the courage to face the truth, no matter how painful it may be. Deal with what is and then move on with your life. Quit masking your problem with “painkillers” and start addressing the underlying causes of the problem.

Bohdi Sanders
author of the multiple award-winning book
The Art of Inner Peace