I've always told the truth. I think that's been part of the

"I've always told the truth. I think that's been part of the foundation of my career. I don't put myself above people. I don't put myself different than people. And I, for one, know that none of us is immune." These words, spoken by the insightful Iyanla Vanzant, echo a wisdom that transcends time. In a world often filled with masks, facades, and pretensions, Vanzant offers us a powerful reminder of the importance of truth, humility, and the shared nature of the human condition. She acknowledges that truth has been the bedrock upon which she built her career, for truth is the foundation that cannot be shaken by the sands of pretense. Vanzant teaches us that it is not only the truth we tell to others, but the truth we tell ourselves that enables us to stand with integrity, with honor, and with a deep sense of connection to the people around us.

To walk the path of truth is not to walk alone. It is to walk alongside others, recognizing that none of us is above or below another. This is the essence of Vanzant's words—she refuses to place herself on a pedestal, and in doing so, she cultivates a spirit of unity and equality. To place oneself above others is to forget that we are all bound by the same human frailties, the same struggles, and the same vulnerabilities. None of us is immune to the challenges of life, and Vanzant speaks not only from a place of wisdom, but from a place of shared experience. Her humility allows her to speak the truth without arrogance, without distance, and without the illusion of superiority.

Consider the great Socrates, whose unwavering commitment to the truth was the driving force of his life. Socrates never sought to place himself above others, but rather, he sought to elevate the minds of those around him through questioning and dialogue. His life was one of service to the truth, and yet he was not immune to the dangers of living a life of authenticity. He was sentenced to death by the very people he sought to help, accused of corrupting the youth of Athens with his teachings. But in his final moments, Socrates did not cower or pretend to be anything other than what he was—a seeker of truth. He knew that the truth was often uncomfortable, and yet it was the very essence of his being. His humility and his willingness to stand by his truth, no matter the cost, made him one of the greatest figures in the history of human thought.

In our own time, we see the same spirit in Iyanla Vanzant. She does not hide behind the mask of perfection, nor does she claim to be beyond the reach of struggle or suffering. Rather, she embraces her humanity, just as Socrates did before her. Vanzant's vulnerability is not a weakness, but a strength—a strength that allows her to connect with others in a deeply meaningful way. When we place ourselves above others, when we create false distinctions between ourselves and the world around us, we deny the truth of our shared humanity. It is only through humility and authenticity that we can break down the walls that divide us and truly connect with one another.

And so, Vanzant's words offer us a profound lesson—one that calls us to embrace truth, to speak truth, and to live truth without fear of judgment or reprisal. The truth is often messy, often uncomfortable, and often difficult to face. But it is only by embracing it that we can grow, heal, and evolve. In a world that constantly tells us to hide our flaws, to conceal our pain, and to wear a mask of perfection, Vanzant invites us to let go of the illusion of immunity and to face life as it is—raw, unfiltered, and real. None of us is immune to the challenges of the human experience, and in acknowledging this, we find the strength to rise together.

What, then, is the practical action we can take from this wisdom? Let us start by telling the truth—not just to others, but to ourselves. Let us strip away the masks we wear, the facades we create, and the pretensions that separate us from one another. In doing so, we create a space for humility, for authenticity, and for genuine connection. Let us remember that we are not separate from others; we are not immune to their struggles or their joys. We are all walking the same path, facing the same challenges, and striving for the same truth.

In this, we will find freedom—freedom from the need to be perfect, freedom from the fear of judgment, and freedom to live in alignment with the truth of who we are. For as Iyanla Vanzant teaches us, it is not in our attempts to rise above others that we find true strength, but in our willingness to stand together, to speak the truth fearlessly, and to walk the path of humility with courage and grace. And in doing so, we find the foundation of a life well-lived—one rooted in authenticity, unity, and the shared experience of what it means to be human.