We were watching the verdict of a rather high profile case with my grandparents the other night.
My very wise grandfather went on a rant. (I come by it honest…)
“It’s like I always said, if you always tell the truth, you don’t have to remember what you said. And if you do what’s right, you never have to turn your back on what you did. You can walk tall and proud, because you have nothing to be ashamed of.”
And while it applies to huge, horrible, high profile cases, most of us probably don’t relate to that.It’s more about the “little white lies” we tell—probably on a daily basis.
“I can’t—I have to go brush my hair.”
“We’d love to but we are in the ER with our ferret.”
While trying to not hurt someone’s feelings, we spout stuff off that isn’t at all accurate.
Then, when that person comes to visit, you’re going to have to explain why you don’t have a ferret…and hope that they don’t run into someone that knows you better.
While that might be a little bit of a stretch…
And while truth may not always be comfortable to say and while you might desire to match what someone wants to hear, “Honesty is the Best Policy”.
If someone is pressing you to talk about something that isn’t their business, just say “I’d really rather not talk about it”.
Getting invited somewhere you don’t want to go? “No, thanks. Not tonight!”
It’s not rude. It’s honest—and without being in-your-face tacky “Heck, no, I am NEVER going to do that with you!”…or whatever the case may be.
Live with character. Live with integrity.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say.
Then you won’t have to swear up and down to get people to believe you when you say something. Your reputation will precede you.
“Let your yes be yes, and your no be no”. (Matthew 5:37)
…and then you don’t have to remember all of the stories you made up or who you told which to…