The cost of truth

Aug 07, 2008

Over the past year or so, I have found that my life and, more specifically, the way I view life and the world, have gone through a crazy metamorphosis...

Throughout most of my pre-twenties life, I was one of the most optimistic, idealistic people you might meet. I was sure I knew just about everything about the world and the way it works and thus, the way I would change it for the better. As I've grown, however, the optimistic feeling has begun to diminish.

I began really learning about problems in the world when I left high school, and really just wanted to figure out the truth in the world-the REAL truth, not the one everyone teaches you in school, or the sugar-coated truth that your parents dish out. So, I began my open-minded journey. I decided to be open-minded about everything I could: politics, religion, goverment, people, situations in life, etc. It was harder than I thought it would be, and believe me, I failed plenty. But as I began doing this, I began to see some truths in life that I had never seen before, and saw that problems in life are so complex--they're not black and white like so many people think they are. And, I found that solutions to problems are not just ice cream and sprinkles...

I had a friend recently say that the smartest people are actually the least happy in life, and I think that I know what that means now....knowledge about life and the way the world works is not sweet and cute-it's real and sad. Sure, there are the good things in life that allow us to keep going, for which I am extremely greatful for... but I can't help but wonder....

Is the cost of truth my happiness? Am I now stuck in what seems like endless turmoil over the problems that I can't solve in the world? I am becoming more knowledgeable....so do I allow my idealism to slowly be out-done by reality?