STORY:
Reality Counts!

By Gary Ryan Blair
Special to Everything2000

Death and taxes are not the only guarantees in life: Reality counts as well. Reality is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Deny reality, and you will soon discover that life is a game of truth or consequences.

Facts are facts, perceptions are perceptions. Each is powerful, each serves a purpose. But you MUST know the difference. True honesty, self-respect, and character are built on reality not on perceptions.

Reality is. Your health, wealth, relationships, and peace of mind are what they are. Stick with the facts, the truth. Every decision about your life must be based on truth..

True and accurate information is essential. Whether or not you like that information is irrelevant, the quality and integrity of information is what counts. What you need is integrity of data and the willingness to operate with it. It is essential to understand that reality isn't necessarily going to be the way you wish things to be or the way they seem to be; reality is the way things actually are.

Get this and you've got it: Reality moves you toward your goals; denial moves you away. Denial is self-imposed deception, convenient cover, yet a poor alibi. Denying reality, for any reason, leads only to stress and frustration and takes you away from your goals. Period!

Everyone has the right to believe and accept what he or she wants, but reality doesn't discriminate. Reality is not different for different people.

Not once has reality excused anyone for good intentions, ignorance, or stubbornness. Reality shows no mercy, accepts no excuses, issues no pardons.

Reality does not "turn the other cheek." This does not mean that reality is cruel, it just means that reality is.

Reality can be inconvenient, especially for those that deny it. We tend to reject that which is not easy to digest, and reality can be a bitter pill. For the most part, people don't want to hear painful truths. It seems easier to ignore the facts, even if we succeed only in delaying the inevitable. Make your bed with blankets of denial and you are guaranteed a lousy night's sleep.

Anyone serious about achieving goals must develop the habit of examining premises and beliefs; otherwise, one risks dining on delusions. When truth is harsh, the exit ramp of denial looks appealing. But don't go there. Take the high road of truth.

Denial is propaganda; it contributes to confusion; it is a retreat from truth. If you are going to avoid anything, avoid the always present, ever tempting world of denial.

Be willing to experience discomfort associated with the relentless pursuit of reality. Dealing with reality requires intellectual honesty, discipline, and commitment. Honoring reality pays dividends: The tighter your grasp on reality, the better the results and the better your quality of life.

Reality has meaningful influence. To function optimally, you must maintain an up close and personal view of reality. Aim for a lifetime rendezvous. Your success is dependent upon it, and when it comes to reality, everything counts!

Gary Ryan Blair, "The GoalsGuy", is the author of the best selling book What Are Your Goals? He writes and speaks extensively on the subject of goal-setting. His "Everything Counts" series will appear on Everything2000.com each Monday through January 2000. For more information visit http://www.GoalsGuy.com or call 1-877-GoalsGuy.

DATE: 08/03/99

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