One friend recently told me, "The only people who will tell you the truth are your enemies, (when they are upset and reveal what they really think about you!) or your close friends (who speak boldly about your faults and not just your strengths). That got me thinking.
We tend to be economical with the truth. How many times have you let that guy is his brand new polka-dot jeans and striped shirt go by; Even when he asks "How do I look?" and you simply give a thumbs up, restraining the laughter.
But then again, you can't always blame us. After all, we don't seem very good at digesting the truth! It is always easier to shift the blame and make excuses. That "log in the eye" tendency is universal. It is not limited to culture or location! We are quick to shoot the messenger.
A recent article in the Post Newspaper defended banks, saying they are not the reason that small businesses cannot access funding. He pointed to another common label - that Zambians do not pay back loans. And so even on economic and political issues, the finger pointing continues...
So we want the truth, but we want it sugar coated and in manageable bite-sized bits. What the heck, throw in the whole sugar bowl!
The problem is, this can lead to a lot of problems. On the large scale, justice is perverted. Enough sugar and even poison will taste sweet. This is lies we sell to the world. On the other hand, there are lies we sell to ourselves, like an addict who says "I can stop any time". Yer, right!
So want the truth, but only so much, or not yet, or on some topics but not others. We want honest leaders and sincere salesmen, but when the question comes home, the standard is altered somewhat. "Don't get caught" seems to be the standard.
Why do we have this love hate relationship with the truth? Simply because some truth is easier to swallow than others. The problem is, when everyone chooses which truth to hear, we end up with ... the world we live in! Perhaps that's why someone sang about the man in the mirror. Whether he managed to live up to that advice is another story altogether. The solution starts when we stop judging the truth, the truth should judge us.
