Gloria Steinem was right. The truth may set you free, but before it does it will really piss you off. In fact, some days truth will make you want to throw things and bite people. Or maybe that’s just me. But none the less, truth can be a pissah.
Truth changes lives, and the truth is, not everyone wants that. In my truth telling, three things have happened. One, some people get angry because I am telling my story. Two, some people are relieved because I am telling “their” story. Three, some people don’t understand why I am telling a story at all.
The first group, the angry ones, well, it’s pretty obvious they have some secrets too, or they wouldn’t be angry. My story may not be identical to theirs, but it’s the kind of deep secret that forces people to look at their own. These are the people who want nothing to do with any truth telling, yours or theirs.
The second group, the relieved ones, are people who are ready to look at their own truths and some of these people may surprise you. These people may share their own story with you, grateful they have someone to confide in, someone who understands trauma pain first-hand.
And the third group, they are just completely confused. They may have no point of reference to your kind of truth. These people don’t know how to relate to your story. Those who can’t relate may be in disbelief because they never saw it coming. These are the folks who cringe at uncomfortable topics, throw up their hands, and try to avoid it like a dead cat in the road.
So, if a friendship ends because you shared more than someone wanted to hear, if you get blown over by a storm of “how dare yous”, if people line up at your door for advice, or if all you get is a blank stare when the truth is out, try not to take it personally. Because inevitably, someone will be pissed off. And bottom line, you are free to allow that into your life as a real pissah, or not.