National Tell A Lie Day

I love weird Holidays. Yesterday was Don't Go To Work Unless It's Fun Day (I went to work) and National Work Place Napping Day (I didn't) or Sauturday which is National Carmel Corn Day (I may or may not have some). But really, National Tell A Lie Day, that's what today is. We'll probably never find out who started this holiday. Those who say they did probably didn't and the anyone who says they didn't could be lying.

My observation is that, generally speaking, we are a very tolerant and forgiving people. We are tolerant of people's little foibles and eccentricities. We are even tolerant of little white lies. I'm sorry he can't come to the phone right now or she has someone in her office when we don't want to talk to a salesperson. Fisherman are known for the ever growing size of their latest catch. Grandparents are noted for grandizing their grandchildren's exploits. Most of us just consider this to simply be a part of life. But is it? Is it necessary? And what are the consequences?

I don't think the little lies are necessary. I think they are habits we fall into. Habits can be changed. Especially when we become aware that something we are doing is detrimental. Instead of saying, "He or she's not here," simply say, "I'm sorry they're not available at the moment, but please leave a messgae." No need to lie.

The recent outburst of Alec Baldwin (which was probably justified) over the two papparzzi who signed up for his new fiance's yoga class just so they could get a photo of the ring is an example. It's only a small "white" lie, so what's the big deal. The big deal is that we are the ones who have arbitraily categorized and prioritized what is and isn't a "white" lie. We've chosen what is acceptable. The problem is, every time we draw the line, someone else moves it and consequently the line just keeps moving.

Lying breaks trust. While we are tolerant and even forgiving of little "white" lies, they still chip away at the trust we have in others and the trust others have in us. If you've ever seen the movie The Shawshank Redemption, you know what can be done over a long period of time with a small rock hammer. Andy Duquenes didn't dig his way to freedom over night. But chip by little chip he continued to dig until that day that he was able to escape. Lying slowly chips away at the trust we have in and for each other. When you chip long enough, the wall you are chipping away at, suddenly collapses and you find yourself under the lies and mistakes of the past.

People generally begin crying out, "Why me?" when that happens. They forget all the other lies and wrongs that undermined their wall.

The point is, our descent into this current level of hell is not a giant leap, we descend one small step at a time. Sometimes the steps are nearly impercieveable but with each step down it gets harder and harder to turn around and head back up. Once you've lost the moral ground it's hard to gain it back. The gravity of your lies or what you have done holds you down like chains and weights. Trying to turn back and undo something is sort of like running up a down escalator that keeps speeding up. With each step you have to run faster just to maintain the current level.

So, please don't celebrate "Tell A Lie Day." Avoid it. You'll be much happier without this little holiday. And that's the truth.