Call me way behind the rest of the world, but I have just watched Al Gore’s documentary “An Inconvenient Truth”, and it spoke to me in ways far beyond simply the environment.

Al Gore is one of those people that does not seem the most dynamic. As I started watching the documentary, I must admit to being bored, and I thought “I should really watch this, but it’s a bit dull.” As I kept watching, I noticed myself settling more into my couch, even changing positions for a long stay, and became mesmerised by the information that this man was presenting. Apart from the overwhelming scientific statistics that he presents to prove that the earth is on a downward slide, Gore’s key message goes beyond the statistics. It is a deep seated thorn in his side that compels him to do something when faced with inarguable facts.

He told the story of his family, and how they used to farm tobacco. When his father found out what tobacco could do, he stopped farming it. His sister failed to give up smoking, however, and succumbed to lung cancer. Both his father and his sister were faced with ‘an inconvenient truth’. One decided to act, the other didn’t.

How many truths in our lives are ‘inconvenient’. Listening to a recent podcast, the host was talking about addiction, in all its forms, and said that “our addictions will eventually kill us.” This host had become an alcoholic, and if he didn’t do something about it, after seeing the ‘inconvenient truth’ that he was out of control, not a pleasant person to be around, and the simple fact that it was destroying him, he bluntly states that he would be dead. An ‘inconvenient truth’ that is not acted upon will cause us to die, whether that be physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally, or socially.

Al Gore’s message goes far beyond the environment, and that is why this documentary is more than just a pep talk about recycling, planting trees, and driving our cars less. It’s about having the guts to admit some truths in any part of our lives are inconvenient, and we have to admit that to ourselves. It follows the old adage ‘no pain, no gain.’ Al Gore challenges us to be strong enough to face the painful decisions, as does this particular podcaster, otherwise the consequences will be dire.

Enjoy your day.