"I will always see the truth before it's too late."

I am thankful for the life and light that has been spoken over me for years by those who can actually see me. I’ll never forget the most meaningful and impactful compliment I’ve ever received being, “Ariel, you 100% know how to take care of yourself.” This insight came from someone I hadn’t known very deeply for very long. The blessing of true sight is all anyone needs. Real eyes, realize real lies. 

I have been blessed phenomenally with the gift of sight. My grandmother gave it to me. I’m not talking about just plain ole vision that can be captured with the two eyes connected to our brain either. I’m pretty skilled with those too, but I digress. The true sight I’m referring to comes from my third eye. Seeing the truth--even if it isn't presented in its entirety gives me enough information in any given situation to make an informed decision on what to do next. 

Typically, after reckoning with the new reality, one of two follow up action steps is next. I either 1) stay put and collect more data--all the while making an energetic exit. In this scenario, I exercise my right to observe from a detached vantage point. Or, if the situation warrants, I can go right to option 2) leave. I learned a long time ago from philosopher, Stuart Wilde, that retreat is often a warrior’s most powerful weapon.

The nonsense you avoid is just as important as the nonsense you find yourself enveloped in. For me, as soon as I recognize false pretenses, I initiate the withdrawal process. Like, immediately. Exiting emotionally early on frees up the mental real estate needed to properly plan for a physical exit.

My father has been telling me for years, “just because the gate is open doesn't mean you have to go in it.” Seeing what’s up the road a little by reading the signs early and often can significantly shift the course of your life. Actioning on the truth, no matter how inconvenient, can save your life time and time again. If you read a situation and find that the image portrayed is misaligned with the reality of what’s in front of you --then it’s time to make a decision.

When they say the truth will set you free-- they weren't lying. The key to achieving that freedom, however, is acting on the truth. If you see the truth and purposefully overlook it, then you end up living a lie just the same. Living a lie requires such an exorbitant amount of energy that it soon becomes too difficult to focus on your soul’s mission. You begin to stray. Once that happens, you’re ensnared in the same mental prison as the folks who are manipulating you. 

In an audiobook recently, I listened to Napoleon Hill’s “Outwitting the Devil” describe definitive purpose as one of the more powerful tools a free thinker can possess. Definitive purpose helps us avoid being caught in the whirlpool of “drifter” society. Most of the world, 98% as the author posits, is perpetually caught in the habit of drifting aimlessly. Drifters have a mindset that is fully programmed by outside stimuli and completely devoid of originality. This is why the saying, “the idle mind is the devil’s playground” has gotten so much airplay over the decades. 

When we don’t have a line into our original thinking capacities, our thoughts drift to whatever programs the “systems of mass distraction” feed us. Many of these programs are coded in lies, by the way. In order to avoid being a drifter, you need to arm yourself with a made up mind. A mind anchored to your own source consciousness. Erykah Badu told us in her music, “You don’t have to believe everything you think. We’ve been programmed. Wake up --we miss you.” 

Shake back, take in the truth of your situation, formulate a game plan, and then move towards it. Non-action is a non-option. If you find yourself in the company of dishonest people, the dishonesty is not going to magically dissolve. Regardless of how positive and hopeful you try to remain. The truth is--they are lying. Full stop. The little white lies you catch them in is a signal there’s a bigger lie they are preparing to get past you. I learned this from personal experience years ago. People that lie “for fun” are the ones that lie for a living. Peep game and mobilize while you still can. Dishonesty, just like violence only increases over time. 

The beautiful thing about deception, however, is that it eventually disintegrates. Liars have so many false narratives to uphold, that the weight of the truth shows itself via inconsistencies and contradictions. Liars create their “delulu” world with their words. You listen long enough and you’ll get a glimpse of the truth by reading between the lines. Not only will you notice contradictions, body language is also a big giveaway. I recommend understanding the general dispositions of those who are lying to get a better sense as to who is twisting your arm. 

I spent the majority of my childhood “going along with the lies” for the sake of keeping the peace. Guess what? No one had any of the peace we were obliged to perform--especially not me. Perfecting the portrayal of peace served me well back then because I learned to use that acting skill to find the exit. The art of facing forward, keeping it cute, and slowly walking backwards until you’re in the clear. Smiling and waving to all the wolves in their sheep’s clothing as I made my way over the horizon is among my proudest feats. 

Call it sneaky, call it manipulative or call it survival. Playing dumb, in order to move smart is sometimes how it has to be. I hope this helps anyone out there on their journey to protecting their heart, body and soul on this insane journey we call life.

07/23/2024

-Ariel Celeste