Honestly, what’s so damn difficult about being honest? Telling the truth, and not misleading
people, is all that it ever requires.
What’s so bad about the truth?
It’s been said, “The truth shall set you free.” What’s so bad about being free? I kind of like being free. If you haven’t tried it yet, I’m sure
you’d like it too. At least try it
to see if you would.
Lying has become so common in our world today that most
people no longer even consider it to be lying. To them it is simply a way of positioning themselves with
others like they want to be positioned; whether it be family, friends, bosses,
acquaintances, or strangers. If it
involves being less than truthful, so be it.
‘To give a false impression’ is actually one of the common dictionary definitions of lying. There are not many people today who
even consider giving a false impression to be lying. But I am not one of them. Giving a false impression is actually of deliberate and
conscious intent, the intrinsic character of a lie.
Sure, our political leaders lie, our national religious
leaders lie, our celebrity royalty lie, the corporate executives lie. It seems as if all the ‘successful’
people lie. Our parents lie, our
grandparents lie, our teachers, mentors, coaches, and local priests, ministers
and rabbis lie. Yes, it seems that
all of our role models lie. So the
question is, “Why can’t I?”
Well, to be perfectly honest with you . . . . . . . . you
can. That’s the point. And now you can lie via Facebook,
Twitter, and text messaging without ever having to look the recipient in the
eyes. You can lie any time you
want, and to whomever you want . . . . .
just like they do. And, I
must say, “You will be just like them
when you do.” If that’s what you
want, go ahead and continue to lie as much as you’d like. And then let me know what you think of
yourself. Let me know how that has
impacted you in such a positive way.
Let me know how it’s elevated your self-esteem, and allowed integrity to
take root in your life.
If you’ve ever taken to heart the admonition to build your
house on rock (rather than on sand), so that when the ground quakes and shakes
your house will remain solid and intact, then you understand the principal at
work in preparing wisely for the future.
Or if you’ve ever considered the admonition to build your house on
higher ground so that when the river rises your house will not be swept away,
then you further understand the importance of planning ahead. Common sense says to not build your house on sand, or on a flood plane. It would just be stupid. Well, experience and common sense teach
us that lying is the life-equivalent of building your house on shaky ground, or
in a sketchy place. Building your
life on lies is stupid. It will
often serve you temporarily, but your ignorance and deceit will come back to
haunt you, at various times, and in various ways. You can count on it.
And, in fact, it hurts and offends other people too; especially those
who love you. Why not avoid all
that personal and collateral damage in your life? If not a question of conscience for you, it seems to me that
(at the very least) it would simply be the smart thing to do: The smartest thing to do.
Honestly.
