True and real

During the lecture series by Prof Alister McGrath at St Andrew Cathedral over the last weekend, he has shared many insightful thoughts.

One of the sharings that striked me is what is "true" and what is "real"?
"True" are the cold hard facts. "Real" is the relational reality.

Some things are true but not real, simply because we cannot feel it. It does not impact us at all.
Some things are true and real. It is happening and affects our life.

Upon deeper thoughts into "true" and "real", there are so many things that fall into these 2 categories.

Sometimes when we hear of natural calamities happening overseas, we know it has caused many to lose their loved ones. However, it may seems to be "just a piece of news" to some ...
This is true and not real.

We know of the technical recession. It takes one who has experienced the brunt of it (be it retrenchment, compulsory leave, shorter working work week, pay cut etc) to really feel it.
This is true and real.

Interestingly, there are something in middle too -"Semi-true and real" and "True and semi-real".

Science keeps advancing. New research findings may discover new findings that topple the old understanding. I love the aroma of coffee. Some reports say coffee is good for health, some says otherwise. Whatever it is, reports that I "feel" is correct or I choose to believe is real to me. This is "semi-true and real".

Singapore has been through SARS time. Though H1N1 has striked our shore this time round, somehow this seems to be "true and semi-real" to the locals. Why? Because people's memory are short and H1N1 is still considerably kind to mankind for now.

We know deep down in our heart on what are "true and real" in everyday of our life, especially if we take time to reflect.

I was sharing with an undergrad temp staff today that "the world is not exactly beautiful". I may sound pressimistic. However, we need some pressimism, coupled with knowledge and experiences, to understand what are true and real. However, life can be beautiful if we brave life with a positive mindset :-)