As children we are encouraged to tell the truth and in return expect ourparents, and other adults, to do the same. It is only as we grow older that we discover not everyone believes in telling the truth - some people consitently lie.
Is it important that we speak the truth? To my mind, yes. I have heard of many people blurring the edges of truth by saying they would tell a "white lie" if it meant not hurting the other person's feelings and whilst this life might be for what appears the best of motives, is it really the best way of not hurting someone? Perhaps, it shows a limitation in the "liar's" own ability to find apositive way of telling the truth. Whatever the reason, there are times when not telling the truth says more about the person telling the lie than about the repercussions of telling the truth.
For me, there have been instances when I found the truth hurt, but only because people did not appreciate all the facts behind the statement they made. They had listened to another person, heard their views, and then adopted them as their own. When this is achild repeating someone else's opinion then it is possible to understand the reason for the blunt, sometimes untrue, statement, but when it comes to adults doing this we can be more upset by the bluntness, especially if it is untrue, or a distortion of the truth due to limited information.
So many lies are told these days, so much disinformation cruelly told to mislead and distort other's views of a subject or person. Why? Do we really fear the truth that much? Are we so frightened of the truth that we will do anything rather than admit it? It would appear so, and this saddens me.
The truth, when it is told and recognised can open up such vistas of understanding that it can never be truly hurtful. The sudden realisation that we are not alone, that others might experience life in a different way to us, might gain insights that others must respect with wisdom and understanding being precious gifts most would give their souls for.
Well it is possible to gain them, and you don't have to be wealthy within society to do so. It is gained by learning the truth, recognising fear, misinformed facts, distortions of truth, and knowing that whenever you acknowledge a truth you will also be more likely to do something ethical rather than just follow the crowd.
Opinion should be formed over time as truth and fiction are discerned to a greater degree.
In my life, truth has become more and more important as the years have passed. I have learned so much, and realised that ignoring the truth, or distorting it, for your own selfish ends does not bring happiness. You may have temporary respite, but the truth will eventually surface and your own deceit will be shown for what it truly is.
Carol Noble
www.helium.com
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