There are some truths in life that we spend a lot of time ignoring or pushing to the back of our minds. They’re uncomfortable, challenging, and, frankly, hard to deal with. Yet, these truths are fundamental to our growth, shaping the paths we take, and leading us to the life we were truly meant to live.
Let’s explore five of these painful truths, and how keeping them close can actually change the way you live your life.
1. Life is Short, and Nothing is Guaranteed
Life is unpredictable. Deep down, we know that people can pass away at any age, often unexpectedly, but we try to ignore it. We live as if we have endless time with the people we love, as if nothing will change. But when the inevitable happens, we’re often left shocked and unprepared.
My great-grandmother lived to be 101. She outlived almost all of her eight children, except for two who were in their sixties. Even these two grown men were devastated by her passing, feeling like they hadn’t had enough time with her. It reminded me of how fleeting life truly is. One of her stories was about the first time she saw an airplane, terrified because she didn’t know what it was. It’s a reminder that, even for someone who lived so long, life is finite.
So, what do we do with this knowledge? We face it. Plan for the end — write your will, communicate your wishes. But then live your life to the fullest. Don’t let the fear of death stop you from truly living.
The greatest loss isn’t death itself, but allowing life to pass by without chasing your dreams, without passion, and without love. Don’t wait for life to be perfect or free of difficulties. Embrace what you have in front of you right now.
Actionable Steps:
- Love the people you are with until you can be with those you love most.
- Love the work you do until you can do what you love.
- Appreciate where you are until you can be where you want to be.
2. The Only Constant in Life is Change
They say the only guarantees in life are death and taxes, but there’s another: change. No matter what happens, good or bad, change is inevitable. Sometimes life is flipped upside down in an instant — a loved one passes away, a job is lost, or an unexpected event alters your plans.
The day after a partner passes away can feel like a cruel reminder that the world keeps spinning. But we must remember that no matter how hard or wonderful a moment is, it will eventually change.
Embrace change. Instead of resisting it, flow with it. Life’s seasons come and go. Trust that every difficult step you take has its purpose and place. Keep doing your best, and don’t force things that aren’t meant for you right now. When the time is right, what’s meant for you will unfold.
3. Patience is Power
One of the hardest truths to accept is that you cannot control everything, especially when life doesn’t go according to plan. Patience becomes your greatest ally here — not the kind where you’re just waiting for something to happen, but the kind that allows you to stay positive and centred while working toward what matters most to you.
Patience is about adjusting your perspective. It’s the ability to keep a good attitude while staying committed to your intuition and values, even when progress feels slow or uncertain. It’s knowing that some things can’t be rushed, and that every step forward is a step in the right direction.
Changing your response to what you cannot control is what puts you back in control of your life. The most powerful moments come when you find the courage to let go of what cannot be changed.
4. Life’s Storms Can Lead to Strength
We don’t get through life without experiencing storms — heartbreak, loss, rejection, loneliness. These moments are painful, but they are also transformative. It’s in these storms that we learn who we really are, and what we’re capable of enduring.
The key is to allow yourself to sit with the pain, to acknowledge it without letting it consume you. Close your eyes and reflect on all the good moments you’ve had, the lessons you’ve learned, and the strength you’ve gained. Then, when you open your eyes, let yourself live some more.
The storms you weather will build resilience, shaping you into a stronger version of yourself. These challenges don’t define you, but your response to them will shape the person you become.
5. You Don’t Need to Know All the Answers Right Now
This might be the hardest truth of all: you won’t always know what’s next. And that’s okay. In a world where we’re constantly pressured to have a plan, not knowing can feel terrifying. But there is a beauty in the unknown. It’s where freedom lies.
When you don’t have a clear destination, you’re forced to open your wings and fly, trusting that the winds will guide you where you need to go. You may not always know where you’re headed, but the journey itself is what matters.
Some of life’s greatest outcomes are those you didn’t even know you wanted. When you let go of rigid expectations and keep an open mind, there are no wrong turns — only paths you didn’t know you were meant to travel.
Embrace the Pain, and Let it Lead You
The truths we often try to ignore — that life is short, that change is constant, that patience is essential, that life’s storms will come, and that we won’t always have all the answers — are the very things that guide us toward the life we were meant to live. These truths, painful as they are, lead us to growth, resilience, and ultimately, to a life of purpose and fulfilment.
You may not be able to control every aspect of your life, but you can control how you respond to these truths. Embrace them, learn from them, and let them guide you toward becoming the person you’re meant to be.