"You can't handle the truth!"

A Few Good Men
written by Aaron Sorkin

Jessep: You want answers?
Kaffee (Tom Cruise): I think I'm entitled to them.
Jessep: You want answers?
Kaffee: I want the truth!
Jessep: You can't handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has walls. And those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago and you curse the Marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives...You don't want the truth. Because deep down, in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall.
We use words like honor, code, loyalty...we use these words as the backbone to a life spent defending something. You use 'em as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it! I'd rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you're entitled to!
Kaffee: Did you order the code red?
Jessep: (quietly) I did the job you sent me to do.
Kaffee: Did you order the code red?
Jessep: You're right I did!!


Truth is liberating! However, getting to the truth is often difficult and painful. Wherever there is truth, there is resistance.

My "aha" experience is that by trying to make something true in my core that wasn't true, I resisted, which eventually led to major depression.

"You can't handle the truth," became a popular line from the movie, "A Few Good Men." Matthew, my oldest son, had the entire scene memorized. He does a better Tom Cruise than Jack Nicholson. More than just a popular phrase, it is something we often tell ourselves over and over. Why? Because we think the pain of the truth is greater than holding on to a lie.

What lies are you holding inside your core? "My ______ loves me even though he/she ______." "Everthing is going to be alright."

Eventually, the lies that we believe create so much internal conflict that we either become withdrawn or create conflict. This leads to depression, sometimes to the point of death.

What lies do you need to let go? What truth will "set you free?"