It's Not a Lie if You Believe It's True
Yo yo yo
What is the good news people???
I know you have lots to tell, So tell everyone.
As for me…
I just got back from a Positive Psychology conference in Toronto and I had a blast. The people I met were incredible and my brain is overwhelmed with all the knowledge I absorbed. Getting together with like-minded individuals from all around the world is magical. It is so cool to hear different perspectives on the same topic. But more on that later, I need to let everything sink in before I start telling the world.
Today we are talking about lying, tiny fibs, you know... white lies.
Oh no not me, I never lie, I always speak with integrity and authenticity. Does that sound like you? Well, I am sure you are all very honest people but that doesn't mean you don't bend the truth, we all do. Yes, even me, although I would rather not admit it. We all have that line in the sand we are not willing to cross, it just is a matter of where you draw it and why you drew it.
Awareness is the key. You are the only person who truly knows why you didn't speak the absolute truth… because no matter how hard you try, there are still going to be those times you don't say completely what's on your mind
For example, did you know:
“Are children too innocent to make things up just to mess with you or get what they want? Nope. Humans develop the ability to lie soon after they learn to walk.” http://io9.gizmodo.com/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-lying-1175676651
That is just so wack… talk, crawl, walk, lie.
Hmmm, now that is something I did not know.
I guess we learn at a very young age how to protect our butts and stay out of trouble.
In one of the books I highlighted recently, Maybe it’s You by Lauren Handel Zander, she dives head first into lying and how it is not good for our souls.
On page 113, there is a section called, “Personal Pollution” where she lists 7 different ways you lie. Not if you lie but how you lie. Lauren states that if she was going to radically change the world, she would eradicate lying.
Here are the 7 ways, without a full description, you will just have to read the book to get the full picture.
Outright lying
Lying by Omission
Lying by exaggeration
Lying by under-exaggeration
Lying by misrepresenting a story
Lying by avoiding confrontation
Lying by keeping secrets you are taking to the grave with you
Any of these look familiar? Do you have a fav? What is your MO? Like I have said many times, the first step is admitting you are human and yes… not perfect. Then we can address what we are going to do about it and how we are going to clean up our act. Or... there could be that other option in which you are totally cool with the way you are right now. Yes, you bend the truth now and then but it is not a big deal. You are aware and it is perfectly fine with you. Hats of to you my friend.
Did you know?
“Though cheaters and boosters often seem like transparent liars to other people, it's very likely that they are actually fooling themselves. A study published in 2011 showed that people who cheated their way into better scores on tests nevertheless overvalued their own abilities — despite the fact that they knew they had cheated. In other words, it's just as easy to fool yourself with lies as it is to fool other people.” http://io9.gizmodo.com/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-lying-1175676651
I have to admit, this is one of those topics in which I do not have a clear defined opinion of where I stand on if it is ever ok to lie. I might have to do a bit more digging. I do know for sure, that I try to say what’s on my mind, especially if it is a difficult subject, only when I am coming from a loving place. I have always believed that if I am speaking the truth from love, then if they want to hear it or not, it needs to be said. I also will wait 24 hours until I address some big issues so I can make sure I am coming from love.
I asked my 13-year-old son, my ultimate source of knowledge if it was ever ok to lie? Now the reason I asked him is because he never ever wants to tell a lie or bend the rules, and often keeps me, more than I want, on the straight and narrow.
He said, “Well Mom, I am not sure if it is ever ok to lie but it might be as long as it is not for your own personal gain.”
Well that's my young one for ya, and much wisdom to sleep on.
- SJW