The Truth and Accountability

Telling the truth isn't always easy or pretty... especially when it involves admitting you have made a mistake.So why bother? It would often be easier to not say anything or maybe just omit certain key facts from the story... Maybe you don't want to disappoint anyone or get someone into trouble...

So why bother?

Character counts. Remember that from your elementary school? Well those assemblies meant something. Character does count in elementary school and beyond. In the business world -- a (wo)man's worth is based on his/her  word -- that is the foundation of business and contract law. (See sitting in those classes taught mom something:)  A handshake, a signature a intentional nod of assent, a spoken word.... all mean something. Break your word and earn a bad reputation and building a business, grooming a successful career, or simply earning a living will be hard -- harder than you can imagine. "Say what you mean and mean what you say" is a true mantra for success in the business world.

More importantly, the foundation of any good personal relationships is trust. Your best friends, your significant others, and your family need to trust you and in your character. Feeling safe, loved, and secure all come from a deep trust -- the kind of trust that allows one to open their hearts and souls to you. The kind of trust that is earned and cherished. Have you ever heard the phrase, "the eyes are the window to one's soul"? Believe it or not, this has a foundation of truth behind it. Body language experts note that people who tell lies always look above your head or to the side of the person they are lying to... It is a deep rooted, human instinct - difficult to impossible to control So if someone cannot look you in the eye when you are asking them an important question -- be very wary.

So what if the truth isn't pretty?

Well, newsflash, bad news seldom is pretty. What I can tell you is that getting caught in a lie -- especially on important matters - is ugly: there will be anger, disappointment, hurt feelings, and lingering feelings of distrust. Not to mention, the amount of energy you will waste and the stress your body will feel while trying to keep the "facts" straight. And, deep down, on some level, you will know that "the truth will always come out in the end".  So for everyone's good, especially your own, it is best just to get it over with.

Do you remember when you were little and  trying to decide whether to have me take the band aid off slowly --feeling each hair being pulled in excruciating slow motion --- or whether to have me tear the sucker off, quickly, in one swift motion. Well,deciding to tell the truth is kind of like that band aid. Once you tell the truth -- it will smart, but it will be done, finito, and you can move on....

And, as always, your mom will be here in person (or spirit) to wipe your tears and give you a hug.


Mom's thoughts of the day:
Character Counts - Own Your Actions -- Be Trustworthy.

The First Post -- Trying Something New

Every time we try something new there is some trepidation. Will I be able to do this? Why did I decide to try this? What was I thinking??

Today's thought of the day: If you don't try,  you will never know. 

What I do know is that if you don't try --- you will always wonder in the back of your head ... What if?  What if I had tried?  Would I have been able to do it? Where would I be now? What ifs are very negative forces that can easily prevent one from appreciating exactly where you are now -- in the present. So I say try... Yes you can or no you couldn't -- it doesn't really matter ... as either way, you will be stronger in the knowledge that you took a positive action in trying rather than letting self doubt, insecurity, or misperceptions stand in your way. 

So here goes nothing or more accurately, everything.

I am trying my hand at blogging. Why? I would like to leave a e -paper trail(if u will)  for my eight children... like a modern diary of my thoughts, impressions, and views of life. Not because I am all knowing -- lord knows, LOL,  I am far from it. But because I want them to be able to see things as I did at a certain point in time... a frame of reference (perhaps a rose colored looking glass) -- a way to navigate the world around them.

And for today, I emulate that to try is to succeed -- in my blog universe, anyway.