“Truth” once written in our self-perceptions become rewritten through time. Every passing recollection falls prey not to the “truth” but rather ego. Honesty is betrayed by self-preservation. Each recollection brings self-preserving filtration. Honesty is betrayed by every recollection of self-preservation. What once was unrecognizable becomes so.
When ego and self-preservation betray “truth” and honesty, we drift further from self-understanding. Our lies blind us. Our self-perception is unrecognizable to others. When ego and self-preservation betray “truth” and honesty, we can never be wrong. Our every mishaps and mistakes become perpetuated by delusion.
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This first appeared in The Havok Journal on January 15, 2024.
Jake Smith is a law enforcement officer and former Army Ranger with four deployments to Afghanistan.
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