Unless something happens directly to me, I hardly ever get the complete story of anything that happens to anyone else. In fact, everything that happens to me is only from my perspective and again, it isn’t quite the complete story.  Even in my memory, there’s always bits and pieces that go missing or get embellished, much less when you’re try to get the whole picture of a situation that happened to someone else.

I’m talking about the hullabaloo surrounding Woody Allen and the lifetime achievement award that he received earlier this year.  It’s just another reminder not to make quick judgements, especially with people I don’t know jack about.

If you are friends of his ex-wife and daughter, you’d believe he’s the monster from their side of the story.

If you’re his friends and family, you’ll believe this side and know he’s been severely misunderstood.

Which brings me to the point of my post.  I actually thought that by the time I’m a year shy of turning 40, I’d have figured it all out.  I actually thought I did until a recent exchange between friends that made me realise you never know who is telling you the truth and what is the truth anyway.  Made me dig deep and question my own bullshit barometer on myself.  I can’t tell if other people are telling the truth but I sure as hell can learn to be honest with myself.  Till this day, the hardest thing I’ve had to learn and am still learning to do.

At the end of the day, that’s all that matters, right?  Not what other people think of you, just what you know of yourself. I wonder if Woody Allen has a hard time walking down the street because people he doesn’t know and some so called friends judge him for a monster. I sure it smarts that people think less of you but if you are honest and know who you are, the sting doesn’t last very long.

That’s what I’m learning anyway.  Maybe this time next year, I’d think differently 🙂 Who knows? For now, I’m grateful for all growing older brings.