Ignorance is Bliss

I have always held on to this philosophy in life - Ignorance is Bliss.

Simple. Controversial. Yet I believe so firmly in it.

Can you handle the ultimate absolute truth in life? Can you accept its brutality (if that is the case)? Can you face it and move on? Some can. Some can't. But mostly it depends on how ugly the truth is and how horridly it would impact you. The extent is all relative anyway.

The truth, be it good or bad, is a revelation. Some find relief and comfort in the truth. Some find strength. Some, however, get hit so hard by that revelation that they cower in fear for a long time. Your nature will determine which category you fall into, I suppose.

Of course, whatever is said above applies more aptly to the ugly truth. The opposite, like all good news, is well-received and accepted as a matter of fact. Never to be doubted, questioned or ridiculed.

And truth, is simply a subset of the subject matter. A hidden fact, a never once-known piece of information, the discovery of a secret or someone's innermost thoughts, or even hearsay are other examples, if we just name a few.

Gaining knowledge of any of the above could have effects that go either way of the spectrum. On one end, you may have a clearer picture - be it someone's true colours, a lover's real intention, a friend's sincerity or your bosses' honest opinion of you. They will help you move on, improve and make better decisions.

But on the other hand, it could turn your life upside down. You harp on it and couldn't let go even if you wanted to. You become unhappy and judgmental. You form that second opinion despite how you truly feel about someone. You can no longer live in ignorant bliss.

That was what scares me the most.

As I type on and my thoughts become a tangled mess, I realised what my initial thought was when I started my first sentence. That I rather live in ignorant bliss. For the short 40 odd or less years that i have remaining on Planet Earth, I truly rather live in ignorant bliss. To know or not to know the many things in life, is it really all that important?

Perhaps such an attitude or life philosophy is a true sign of weakness. And perhaps I held on to such a belief because I am too afraid to face life's realities.