by Elizabeth Threlkeld
Honesty is the best policy. Just be real. Be true to yourself.
We’ve all heard these sayings. In a world where so much of what we see isn’t true to reality, we, as humans, still long for what is real.
I’m not writing here to shame the facade. In fact, I quite enjoy the fascinating artistry of putting on makeup for the rare occasions that I do. I enjoy making Facebook posts of the beautifully perfect fruit or vegetable I grew. I feel pretty in a dress!
The social media highlight reels of life, the handsomely crafted body of a muscle car, the perfectly posed photo session, the beautifully fashionable clothes, the fancy homes, etc., are great in and of themselves, but if that is the focus, what did we miss? As I have gotten older, I have sensed this urge to ask that question.
Those embellishments are usually “affixed” to something, the real thing. Let’s look at food, for instance. You have all seen beautifully decorated birthday and wedding cakes; you’ve seen the restaurant commercials and their picturesque menu items; you’ve seen canning as an art form. You haven’t? Oh, you gotta check that out! It’s amazing!
But food, at its base form, is sustenance for our bodies. In reality, all food that we consume was once either part or all of a living thing, or…still is…if you’re eating fermented foods – I just thought of that! But in reality, things must die for us to live. Wow, that got deep really fast, but that is what reality is. When we make that connection with our food and recognize that its life has ended, that we might continue, at least for me, it brings a humbling gratitude.
I think that when we acknowledge reality, it makes us better.
Social media is made to connect us as humans, but we can connect on every level on social media, not just the highlight reel. Some of the most moving things I’ve seen on social media were when people were being open, honest, and vulnerable.
Vehicles at their base form to get you from place to place. Photo sessions preserve memories and capture a moment in time. Clothing, in its base form, is to protect us from injuries and the elements. Homes protect us from the elements and predators.
Going deeper means tearing through the Christmas wrapping paper and opening the package to see what’s inside instead of merely admiring the wrap for a lifetime. I have given you lots of physical examples, but this mystery also applies to our internal lives – our emotional, mental, and spiritual sides – as well. Why do we think, act, or behave a certain way? Do we make a habit of examining our internal thoughts or getting to the bottom of them? What can we learn about ourselves and others if we dive a little deeper?
“Every man dies, but not every man really lives…”
Let’s not just live, Friends. Let’s really live! How will you search for the “real” in your life today?
Made with love,
Liz Threlkeld
Hi Friends!
Author BIO:
My name is Elizabeth Threlkeld but all my friends call me Liz. I am just an ordinary gal – nothing fancy about me! T-shirts and jean shorts 90%+ of the time over here. I value practical over pretty so I’m usually in tennis shoes and a pony tail for my hair it is! In a nutshell I’m a Jesus-loving, butcher’s wife, homestead momma, Sunny Creek Trading Post business-owner, over-zealous gardener, healthy eating advocate, crazy Christmas lady, and Oklahoma girl. There now, you can practically see me in your mind’s eye. Nice to meet you! I’ve already decided we should be friends and you can call me Liz now, too, if you’d like! You can follow me personally by my name on Facebook. For more gardening content, homestead tips, and recipes, you can like and follow my business page: Sunny Creek Trading Post.
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