According to Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary the word tru·ism – noun \ˈtrü-ˌi-zəm\ is defined as an undoubted or self-evident truth; especially: one too obvious for mention.
I am sure from this definition you can already begin to recall certain truisms you have heard over and over again that they have now taken a life of their own to become self-fulfilling prophecy. However, please pardon me for what I am about to do here and that is to disabuse conventional wisdom. Isn’t it amazing that just because we hear something being repeated over and over again on a massive scale by people who don’t know any better, we let it go unchallenged? In some cases even, these blatant lies pass for the truth because they sound so reasonable enough that people rarely do sit back to think through them. But mind you popular opinion is seldom always the right opinion. So what are some of these truisms that I dare say aren’t true? I list 6 of them here for you. You can later on sit back and try to recall the ones you know I haven’t mentioned and try to access them in the light of your own understanding. Let’s go…
A Bird in hand is worth two in the bush
Pitfall- An idea that is based on “Playing it safe”
If Bill Gates had thought this way, he doubtless wouldn’t have quit Harvard to go found Microsoft. The greatest inventions and contributions in our world have been made by men and women who defied the odds and left the birds in their hands to go chase after the “uncertain” two in the bush and yes they came back with more than just two birds!
When we get to that bridge we will cross it
Pitfall- Hinged on “Short-sightedness”
The people who have turned their world around are people who crossed bridges in their minds even before they got there. People who say things like this are the very ones who refuse to make plans for their lives believing that fate and destiny will help plan for them. They lack a sense of purpose and vision.
Life begins at 40
Pitfall- Laziness and Excuses for under achievement
This one is very funny. Why would I wait to begin life at 40 when I can be begin to enjoy everyday life today if I choose to? Life doesn’t begin at 40 rather by 40 hate it or love it, you’re approximately half way gone through life’s journey. So you better start enjoying life today before you become filled with regrets.
Love is blind
Pitfall- Self-will and infatuation
Do you really think so? Someone was quipped that, “If you think that love is blind, marriage will open your eyes”. Funny yet very true. I have seen people profess love, love, and more love. Then they get married and after a couple of years, they want out. That’s because their love was blind to begin with. Your love should better have eyes from the start so you don’t make the wrong choice.
It takes money to make money
Pitfall- Lack of initiative
People have started and grown profitable businesses without having a single penny. I can confidently tell you two areas in which you can make money without requiring you to pump in more money; Web development and Teaching. All it takes is your brain and skills. Those are your real assets not cash.
The end justifies the means
Pitfall- False judgment
So what we are saying here is that if I rob and kill a rich man in order to feed suffering children in Cameroon then automatically the fact that I am helping alleviate poverty in Cameroon (the end) justifies the fact that I robbed and killed a rich man (the means). Nothing could be further from the truth. The means therefore justifies the end.
I shared just 6 of these truisms here that aren’t true. Can you remember some more? Please share with us in a comment. Cheers!