There are always different narratives. A story they want us to believe and the story we choose to believe. The point of contention is when we choose and it doesn’t fit the narratives of the others. The struggle we have is deciphering the truth when all that is being spewed is b*ll.

And when in Spain, it’s perfectly acceptable!

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It was yesterday, but it felt like five years ago. The anger fueled on social media is from people who have deciphered their truth and are acting out. Tensions are raised just as they were on that blustery day.

My Interpretation of a Past Event

We huddle together with our daughter in the middle, gasping for breath as tears stain our faces. An elderly woman approaches us looking for help. Her leg bloodied by either shrapnel from the tear gas cannisters or the violence that surrounds us.

What can best be described as a peaceful protests, by voices singing patriots hymns, quickly turns to chaos. The crowd turns aggressive, into an angry mob. Peaceful intentions turn ugly.

It took one day, what appeared as thousands gathered together at a rally, that created a fracture that would lead to the greatest divide of our nation in modern day.

Today I choose unity.

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Our nation, the USA, has been through the ringer. And it doesn’t stem from one incident but how we choose to show up in the aftermath. It’s what I am witnessing today on social media platforms and it’s gut-wrenching.

When in Spain

For almost two weeks I traveled through Spain (and France) with a diverse group of friends and family members. We each have different views of the world and of the State of the Union in the USA. My husband leans one direction while our good friend is a government elected council-lady and sees the world through a totally different lens. While I find myself in the center, a place of comfort found in my recovery.

We didn’t allow our differences to impede our fun. Our goal was to experience the culture and food of Spain, not get caught up in the broken world we live in. What I did find troubling was how the news of the USA was being reported.

Deciphering the Truth

How does one really know the actual events that take place when they don’t live it? Do you know what it’s like to be an American and the impact the economy has on each of us, when you don’t live among Americans? How do we know the truth of the attacks in an American city, when the truth is poisoned by an agenda?

I found the portrayal of the news of the States by the Europeans very skewed. And this isn’t a problem that is specific to European news but the United States wants to portray the rest of the world in chaos as well. The truth is we do live in a chaotic world, it’s no different now then it was years past.

When we get our news and our truth from the world we will never achieve peace. The problem is that we, the people, are slaves to the media. It’s their job to report the news as they see it (in my humble opinion, to fit their narrative) and we are to dutifully trust them.

It’s our job to decipher the truth from a healthy place, no matter where we are logistically.

Consider the Truth

While in Spain I stayed two nights in Pamplona at the Gran Hotel La Perla. It’s rumored that Ernest Hemingway stayed there along with many other historical figures. One could say that the American-born writer put Pamplona on the map.

How Hemingway changed Pamplona forever – where he stayed offers a detail account of Hemingway’s time in Spain.

The article sites: “He first stayed in the Hotel Quintana (which is called the **Hotel Montoya **in his novel) and would do so for many years to come. In the Sun Also Rises, he mentions sitting at the hotel bar whilst drunk and looking out of the window into the main square (La Plaza del Castillo). Luckily the bar still exists, even though the hotel doesn’t, and is just up those stairs to your right as you enter the place which is now known as Tropicana Cervecería. By having a glass of red wine here (Hemingway’s favourite drink), you’ll be reliving the pages of his classic novel.

“Hemingway developed a great friendship with the owner of this bar, Juanito Quintana, and the two of them together would have long conversations about politics and bullfighting, as well as the occasional heated argument but their friendship persisted nonetheless.”

A few interesting details sited above:

• Ernest Hemingway was a drunk
• His favorite drink red wine
• He and a friend had heated political discussions while maintaining their friendship

La Perla

The article also states: Prior to achieving fame, Ernest stayed at another hotel that offered more affordable lodging. Each hotel has a balcony overlooking Calle Estafeta where the Running of the Bulls take place.

A few interesting details sited above:

• Hemingway had a disgust for the Fascist Dictatorship
• He stayed in room 217 at the Gran Hotel La Perla
• Each hotel he stayed in overlooked the Calle Estafeta, where the running of the bulls takes place

Who’s Truth

My research is based from an internet Google search and an employee of the hotel. Each source is motivated by their own intentions. And to conclude I add my own twist. No where did I find proof that each hotel overlooked the path of the Running with the Bulls. It was simply implied that each place he stayed overlooked the path.

The Political Narrative

Political discussions can be divisive and used to create tension. Each party has merit for their opinions but too often lacks respect for the other party. It’s best to find a commonality, and seek understanding. Read Listening, understanding, tolerance: the full circle of humanity for another positive post.

An article written by Julia Furmanek with the BU, Arts and Science Writing Department states: “Literary critics and historians alike find Hemingway difficult to label in his political and religious views.”

Like all writing and works of art, each piece is open to interpretation. The scholars who (have) study Hemingway each share their own opinions. His stories offer diverse thought on the culture of the time.

Political opinions can be used to create divides in an already fractured world. It is mere speculation as to why Hemingway did not return to Spain over a period of years. It’s also interesting when the author, Adam L. Maloney, of How Hemingway changed Pamplona forever, where he stayed, shares Hemingway had heated political discussions with a friend. It’s within the discussion with this friend where the truth lies.

The author states that Ernest and his friend rose above their political disagreements.

Scientific Truth

The source also shares that Hemingway was a drunk. Does this mean he was an alcoholic? A scientific study by the National Library of Medicine shares this about Hemingway’s mental health: “Significant evidence exists to support the diagnoses of bipolar disorder, alcohol dependence, traumatic brain injury, and probable borderline and narcissistic personality traits.” This is a bold diagnosis.

And continues to state: “Late in life, Hemingway also developed symptoms of psychosis likely related to his underlying affective illness and superimposed alcoholism and traumatic brain injury. Hemingway utilized a variety of defense mechanisms, including self-medication with alcohol, a lifestyle of aggressive, risk-taking sportsmanship, and writing, in order to cope with the suffering caused by the complex comorbidity of his interrelated psychiatric disorders.”

Does science prove that Ernest Hemingway was an alcoholic?

Biblical Truth

Science has relevance when predicting the future but documented history is an account of our past. The Bible is a historical account that stems back to 1400 BC, spanning over 1,500 years. In a search Is the Bible the oldest account of history an AI overview states: “While ancient Mesopotamian and Egyptian writings predate the Bible, they include preserved scripture fragments.”

Historians share their opinion and interpretations of the past, but it is in the scriptures found in the Bible where I find inspiration and words to live by. Within the pages of the Bible we discover God’s truth. Jesus, the Son of Man, declares “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.”

God’s Truth vs. The World

Today I see people arguing their truth on social media. Condemnation from each side that creates an even bigger divide. Peace is a state of serenity and being free from conflict, something that our world lacks. No longer do I look to our world for peace but inward.

God’s truth is said to be unchanging, whereas the truth derived from the world we live in is subjective, shifting, and based on cultural trends and opinion. The world truth is determined by human experience and according to God’s law it’s not for us to judge another person’s experience.

Christianity is a world view that for me promotes peace.

My Truth

On a frigid day five years ago I was present at what initially was intended to be a peaceful rally, that turned quickly into a violent uprising and/or rebellion by a group of people against their government. Watching the events unfold that day and witnessing how the media portrayed it has shaped the woman I am today.

Mentally I was challenged by a society I had no control over. My lack of spiritual guidance did not provide healthy coping to deal with my brokenness and of the world that surrounded me. The result was a woman who acted out which only caused further division.

It may have been the political unrest I witnessed that broke me, but it was on April 6, 2021 where I had another life altering event. Two days following Christ resurrection in April of 2021 I was saved. I died from my sins and given an opportunity for a new way of life.

It’s Your Narrative

It is within our hearts where we establish our truth. An accurate truth isn’t merely an opinion but based on experience. It is through our life experiences that no one can take away which shapes us. My spiritual awakening is my truth.

My new way of life doesn’t challenge other people’s politics, rather understands that they too are shaped by their own experiences. Although a friend might have different political ideology it’s not my job to challenge or condemn them. Our trip was free of political discord because we were too busy learning the history of Spain, a common interest.

It’s for you to determine your truth. Don’t let someone or something else change your narrative. Rather trust in God’s plan for your life.