Journey XIV Week 8
We CAN Handle the Truth

Snow! Left: Monarchs Anne Jarvis, Ann Burke, Michelle Dante, Julia Howry, Janet Chastain celebrate earning Monarch Money after a cozy indoor workout at Neissa's. Right: Tarry Town Texico mechanics get creative and create snow bears. The TRUTH is that the snow last Tuesday created a beautiful winter wonderland! What a gift the day was. It made this crazy, funky winter worthwhile.

“It takes two to speak truth—one to speak and another to hear.” — Henry David Thoreau

Action: Make the choice to eliminate white lies and half-truths and confess to yourself or others if you do indulge.

When I think of lying I think of the many public confessions from celebrities and politicians that we've unfortunately witnessed and how grateful I am that I don't lie like them... or do I? Sure, I stretch the truth about little things, but that doesn't hurt anyone... does it?

I asked myself if half-truths, exaggerations, or partaking in gossip and rumors really counts as lying. After much contemplation, my opinion is that they do. Last week I encouraged you to take part in a habit exchange: replacing a bad habit for a good habit. For my own habit exchange, I've decided to be more diligent with telling the truth—the whole truth—even if it means admitting I'm wrong or that I've messed up.

Being diligent at telling the whole truth is important because what comes from our mouths is a picture of what is in our hearts. What we say represents our integrity and character. I like to think of lies as blockages in the valves of the heart. If we continue to allow ourselves to be dishonest to any degree, the blockage increases and the harder it becomes to tell the complete truth, live freely, and take flight. Saying what you really don't mean, or just flat-out lying prevents and destroys healthy relationships with others as well as with ourselves.

So, where will I start? From this day on my goal is to make a choice to eliminate my white lies, exaggerations, and half-truths and come clean to the person I lied to, including myself. I confess, I can convince myself and justify just about anything. When I say “I'm too busy to exercise today” I really mean that I didn't prioritize my time well. I know the reason why I was late wasn't because of traffic, it was because I didn't leave on time. As I continue down the truth telling path I know it, like anything I practice long enough, will become habit.

I hope you'll join me. Shed the old habit cocoon of justifying or telling little lies and put on our new honesty wings that will rid us of extra weight and burdens and allow us to take full flight. Tell your husband how much those shoes really cost. And tell yourself how many calories that late-night glass of wine really has. But don't forget that the truth is best told and received with loving, kind and compassionate words and hearts. Don't be like Col. Nathan R. Jessep... I think I would cry if I were on the receiving end of his truth exchange...

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