Always Speak Your Truth Fearlessly By John Cali

Many years ago I graduated from a Jesuit college. They required all students to study philosophy every year. I was fascinated by the subject, and one of my favorite philosophers was the ancient Greek, Socrates.

Socrates was condemned to death for speaking his truth—as he always did fearlessly.

William Shakespeare famously said, To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”

One of my all-time favorite writers, Richard Bach, said “Your only obligation in any lifetime is to be true to yourself.”

Finally, another of my favorite people, Pope Francis, recently said “Sin, even for those who have no faith, exists when people disobey their conscience.” That’s quite a different perspective from the Catholic Church I grew up in.

Here are some thoughts from Spirit:

  • Violating your conscience, to us, means doing or thinking anything that does not serve your highest good, and that of others.
  • While you may not be violating the prescriptions and proscriptions of some “authority”—church, government, parents, schools, etc.—you are violating the trust and love your spirit has given you, the human aspect of itself.
  • That, to us, is the biggest “sin” you can commit.
  • Always be true to yourself. Then, as Shakespeare said, you will always be true to others.
  • Always speak your truth with love and without fear. Then others will be drawn irresistibly to you.
  • Always love yourself unconditionally. Then you will love others unconditionally.
  • Always know you are Spirit. Then you will always recognize Spirit in others.
  • Walk in peace, knowing in your heart all is well.

****************************

Allan Hardman is a spiritual teacher who leads groups to sacred places in Mexico. Here he is with one group as he teaches them how to speak their truth:

Related links:
What Is Truth?
Be Yourself
Being True To Yourself

****************************

If you’re like most of us, you likely do not always speak your truth. What can you do to be truer to yourself, and to always speak your truth? Please share your thoughts and comments with us below.

What other subjects would you like us to talk about in these posts? Please email me.

*****************************

About John Cali
John Cali is a writer, blogger, and channel for a group of spirit guides. His next book is Real Answers to Life’s Pesky Questions: Conversations With Spirit, Book 1. John lives in northwestern Wyoming. Sign up for his newsletter here.

13 Responses

  1. anny

    Hello John,

    What a coincidence. I just read the recently published interview with pope Francis and a string of blogposts by young Jesuits on this interview. Although I never was a Catholic I am interested in what is going on in the Catholic church right now and I was very pleasantly surprised. Not just the new pope but also these young people seem to be so openminded and loving. Also in the church things are changing!

    As far as always speaking your truth is concerned, in general I totally agree but when do we stop speaking our truth and start imposing our opinion? It is a very fine line, I think. Love and wisdom are called for.

    • John Cali

      Hi again, Anny. I agree with you — the Catholic Church is changing for the better, in my opinion — and much of that is due to Pope Francis’ efforts. I was born and raised Catholic, and I never remember a pope quite like this one. He’s a great inspiration to many.

      I agree — it can be a fine line between speaking our truth and imposing our opinions. For me the difference is, at least partly, in realizing our truth may not be someone else’s.

  2. Valerie

    John, deleted this one without commenting at first, but then thought better of it. A sign just how ingrained my keeping silent is.

    I’ve paid a dear price many times for speaking my truth. Just recently someone noted I was ‘awfully honest’ and they didn’t mean it in a good way. Yet that same friend confided in me when she needed help, knew I’d speak my truth… and thanked me after for speaking it.

    So my answer is, I don’t always speak unless specifically asked. Doesn’t mean I don’t live my truth, but sometimes I walk the walk, and can’t talk the talk. I wait to be asked, and may test the waters to decide how far to go….

    Sometimes it is very difficult to find the right words…but figure it will come up if need be. So maybe the key to this question is can I do it without fear? Sometimes. So the bottom line for me, is not unless asked…but then yes, regardless of outcomes.

    • John Cali

      Thank you very much, Val. Good answer to the question.

      Like you, I kept silent for many years. But no longer.

      It doesn’t matter whether you speak your truth privately or publicly. Either way, you will never please everyone. As long as you please yourself — be true to yourself. That’s what really matters.

      Most people, I’ve found, will honor you for that, whether they agree or not. And I’m often pleasantly surprised how what I say helps others. That’s the best reward of all.

  3. Micki

    Hi John,

    Wonderful Newsletter, loved it and all the replies and so very true, if you can’t be true to yourself then life can be tough, its a lesson a lot of us learn as we progress in life and I for one have finally learnt it. Thank you and Spirit.

    Have a great weekend,
    Love and hugs to you.
    Micki

    • John Cali

      Thanks very much, Micki, for your kind words.

      You have a great weekend too!

      Love and hugs back to you!

      John

  4. Susan

    John, this is absolutely my favorite quote from Socrates:

    “I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing.”

    Love and blessings,
    Susan

  5. Jeannie

    John, I might have told you this before. When I was fourteen one early evening for some reason I looked up at the stars and vowed I will always be myself no matter what anyone else says, I will be me. To that fourteen year old young girl that was an oath to be true to myself and follow my heart. There have been many times I might not have done it but I think every experience be it good or bad was still being myself. As I look over the long years I could have done better but would I have become the person I am. I’ve learned, I’ve loved, I’ve been in pain and sorrow as well as joy and peace. Life is an ever moving picture of who we are at any moment and I wouldn’t change a thing.

    love and hugs
    Jeannie

    • John Cali

      Thanks very much, Jeannie. Most of us don’t learn that lesson so young as you did. Like you, I wouldn’t change a thing, “good” or “bad.” But, really, it’s ALL good.

      Love & hugs,
      Jeannie

  6. Mikala

    To be FREE, to speak your truth, to expand your BEING, to walk in Grace and shine your Divinity in LIGHT and LOVE, you must first LOVE YOURSELF and who you have been and are as ONE with the ONE first. Become whole and take back your Divinity. Then, you simply cannot NOT speak your truth, it is Who You Are.

    My two cents. grin

  7. Conshana

    Greetings, My Friend,
    A Couple of thoughts, from my perspective..
    1. There is One Basic Law, and that is, DO NOT violate nor impugn the integrity of another.
    2. Permit to others willfully and willingly the love and respect and ability to live their life, that you would demand and expect for yourself.
    3. We are all Teachers, even as at the same time, we are the Students of other Teachers. Likewise, those Teachers are also our Students.
    4. Under no circumstances force your beliefs or lifestyle on another. To do so violates Point Number One.
    5. Love as if the well would never run dry. Because it won’t.
    6. Dance the music in your heart, for the tune will never be heard by human ears, but will be seen by human eyes, and loved thereby.
    7. Honor Sunsets
    8. Honor Sunrises
    9. Honor Self.
    10. Honor LIFE

    Blessed Be,
    I AM Conshana

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.