I've just been thinking about truth, lies, and all the in between...
When we are young, to keep our innocence and belief of magic in tact, we are told many lies. We are told there is a Santa Claus, a Tooth Fairy, even an Easter Bunny, and so on... Then one day, we shockingly find out or we're simply told the truth. We realize that for the last 10, 11, 12 years of our life we had been lied to for the sake of: "magic." How effective is this? Yes, for our younger years we believe and we savor the wonder, but as soon as the truth is set free the magic begins to fade day by day. We also realize that even the smallest little untruths can cause a lasting impression. You feel lied to for many years and your trust is compromised. Thus, begins your awareness of lies and the need for truth.
As we get older we see that everyone lies. To get out of work, to run for political office, to teach their children a lesson, to get out of trouble - the list goes on and on... The "white lie" becomes acceptable and most everyone tells one at some point in their life. I have to admit that I've told lies, more so when I was younger and wanted to do things my parents wouldn't allow me to. Other times when I joined the work force and wanted to play hooky to go to the beach with friends. Being a Scorpio, I do have a sneaky side which I believe I've overcome in my present age. When I was younger I'd hide credit card bills, overdue library books, and I would even hide my report cards. These instances didn't feel like lying because they were just omissions of the truth, but indeed they were lies. When you leave out the truth - it is in fact a lie. Lies hurt the people you love.
Heading towards thirty years old, I feel a sense of truth in everything I do. I feel that I'm good enough, that my opinions can be heard no matter who disagrees, and that I am in control of my life and own my decisions. I no longer feel that I have to lie to get out of things. Everyone else does what they want and I must have respect for myself and my time as well. The more lies you tell, the less confident and real you feel. I am not saying I will NEVER lie in the future, but my intent is to be as honest and truthful as possible. In my next thirty years I want to really value who I am. Plus, the more lies you tell - the more you have to remember. My Mom's favorite quote is: "If you never tell a lie, you never have to remember what you said." Come to find out Mark Twain wrote that quote. Such a wise saying. The more you lie, the more you have to be on top of what you said so that your stories match up and make sense down the road.
In recent history, I have heard so many stories and have been told many lies by people who I respect and trust. It's a hard pill to swallow. It hurts and it stings, but at the same time shows you who can trust and count on. When you know the truth, you can hold onto it and let it shine a light on the darkest of lies. If your truth is not heard, you can't make anyone believe it. You just have to live it. Sometimes words fall flat. Let your actions speak louder than words. Don't take it so much to heart either. Most liars won't remember their lie in a couple months. It's not the truth and so it'll be like a layer of sand which blows away over time. Don't waste your time with lies and trying to defend the truth. It's an uphill battle that will just go round and round in circles. You deserve better, so seek it and don't fuel the lie.
The worst way of bending the truth is to make yourself look better. To create your persona instead of being your persona. Best example is someone who is always talking/bragging about the vacations they've been on, the money they're making, or the big things that are in the works for them. Now, yes of course people have success and do these things. The difference is that most successful people just show the world their success because it's TRUE - they don't have to talk it up. Someone doesn't have to say they have thousands of men running after them. You will just observe that they are desirable by their actions, heart, beauty and how they treat everyone. I feel that real people can stand on their REALNESS alone. Who they are shines through and they can just BE! Those who must tell you everything about them and about this, that and the other... Well, they live in a facade of lies. They boast more than they ARE. Those who love you, will love you for exactly WHO YOU ARE!
"You can bend it and twist it... you can misuse and abuse it... But even God cannot change the TRUTH!" - Michael Levy
