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Lexi Saelua
Miller
AP Language and Composition
21 April 2015
Truth Be Told
There are many definitions of truth, and picking just one does it a great injustice.
Moreover, although the concept of truth is simple, defining it is as complex as untangling a pair
of earphones.
One thing that comes to mind, whenever truth is mentioned, is honesty. Truth is a way of
being honest with oneself and others. When one is being honest, one is telling the truth. For
example, it is true that the world we live in is a cold one, both ironically and metaphorically-as the Earth actually continues to heat up, the world remains a cruel, heartless, and selfish place.
People continue to die in the hands of others. There are many cases of teenagers committing
suicide due to bullying. On any given night, there are over half a million people homeless in the
United States alone, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness. Some people may
decide to ignore the truth, but it is still there. The truth is unavoidable.
Truth can also be a state of mind and can be determined by how you perceive it. On a
personal note, I recently discovered that during the last days my father had on earth, he was not
afraid. Instead, he was serene and happy. He did not know if he would see another day and the
mere act of waking up the next morning brought him pure joy. My father was content because he
cherished every moment he had with his wife, children, and family. He lived a good life-- THE
good life. He understood that he had little time left to spend with his family, and that viewpoint

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brought him peace that only truth can ever provide. His understanding and acceptance of the
truth allowed him to be free.
The simplest definition of truth is its factual element. There are certain undeniable truths
based on facts and evidence. For instance, it is a fact that I am a junior attending Willow Glen
High School. There is incontrovertible evidence proving that I attend Willow Glen High School
as a junior. Therefore, this fact is the truth. However, some people disagree and believe instead
that truth is solely determined by belief. I believe truth is actually a fusion of facts and beliefs.
Examples of this include many stories that spawn from the Internet. Many people believe that
the reason the Kardashians are famous is because of Kims flauntingly open sexual behavior and
her infamous sex tape. I honestly believe that this is a fact, since I can cite many websites
(GOOGLE IT) that validate this point. However, whether this is factual truth, is still debated by
fans and followers. Most do not realize that many of these stories cite personal opinions and
often lack factual evidence. Still, thousands believe their viewpoint as factual and the truth.
Truth is often part fact, part belief intertwined as one. One without the other is like yin without
yang.
Overall, truth is the balance between all. It may hurt or it may feel good. At the end of the
day it is there as a foundation to hold both reality and fantasy together. It is a basic need to keep
one sane. When truth is ignored or denied, one can drift off into oblivion or become mentally
unstable. When truth is welcomed and embraced, one has the ability to become wiser and to
maintain sanity. It is a state of mind as well as the key to making or breaking ones heart. For
instance, learning that I was adopted, learning the truth about my actual biology, was shocking. It
hurt, but it also made me realize that life for me could have been worse. It made me appreciate
my upraising, my parents, my siblings, my heritage and God, Himself. I felt truly blessed. I still

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am. The moment I learned the truth, it was as if a jolt of lightning surged through my body and
soul, opening my eyes and reviving my spirit while forcing me to feel pain and doubt. Truth is
both a blessing and a lesson, wrapped in one.
Ultimately, truth is a messy consolidation of many factors. It is what keeps us grounded
and reminds us what is real. It is something many of us hold dear to our hearts. Truth is, in its
simplest form, a fact. Truth also includes a massive amount of feelings and emotions. It is a way,
a state, a foundation. Truth is what each individual believes it to be.