Is Knowledge what you Need, or Just Truth?

“The first principle is that you must not fool yourself – and you are the easiest to fool”

Richard Feynman

I’ve just arrived in South Africa where I will be spending the next two weeks. My husband is South African, for some visiting in-laws may be a chore, for me it’s an occasion I look forward to every year. Not just because of the wonders of this country and the long sought after sunshine on my white freckly skin, but I also get to spend time with some of the most wonderful human beings I know.

Holiday Reading

I usually stock up on a couple of books before I go. Therefore over the past couple of weeks I have visited a number of bookshops, but from each one I’ve come out empty handed. This is a very strange scenario for me as I seldom leave a bookshop unburdened by my purchases. I devour books, predominantly non-fiction, personal development, popular psychology, business anything that suggests ways to live a happier, healthier, more successful and fulfilling life. I love to read non fiction because even if one quotation inspires me or one idea motivates me I believe it’s been a worthwhile read. My husband tells me its time to read fiction, and I’m starting to think he may be right.

Leaving the bookshop empty handed

It troubled me why I couldn’t find a book that interested me, is it because my own book cover is currently being decided upon and I am highly critical of other book covers? Or maybe there are no interesting titles on current release? Maybe I’ve read them all or maybe I’ve learnt all the lessons that these books contain? Maybe rather than keep learning it’s time to do or maybe it’s time to just be?

Time to do

I know in the past I’ve been guilty of too much seeking and not enough doing. Constantly searching for the next lesson to make me feel happier, the next tip to make my body healthier, the next idea to make my relationships more meaningful. But how much of what I have read have I actually implemented?

How many new habits have you implemented lately, how many lessons have you learnt and carried out?

We are constantly seeking the advice from health practitioners, books and seminars when in fact we probably already know the answers we are searching for. Is it because we need the message reinforced twenty times before we acknowledge it or do we keep looking for a solution that doesn’t require any effort from our side? Is there a book that can make the changes for me?

Effort Required

Unfortunately as we all know there is some effort required in change. A little motivation, a little commitment and a little persistence will help us on our way. So ask yourself; What one thing could you do this week that would have a huge positive impact on your life this year? Do you have the answer or do you need to read it in a book? My best guess is you already have the answer, so my next question is, What’s stopping you?

If you know what you need to do next, stop talking about it and start doing. Stop trying and start living, stop making excuses, do yourself a favour and do what needs to be done. You will love the feeling of achievement when it’s done.

The Truth

But if your answers are still eluding you maybe it’s time to just be. To take a deep breath and listen to your heart because your heart already has all your answers it’s just waiting to be asked. Waiting for you to listen to the truth.

For me I know what I have to do, it’s my time for writing, for starting my next book, there will be no time for reading when I get started, just time for being with my thoughts and my words. For listening to my truth and not someone else’s.
This is my time.