We Should Lie

The idyllic notion that truth should be revered is a shallow one. It does not consider the social ramifications our thoughts could have. Through our omissions and our concealing of emotional machinations we spare our beloved ones the barbs of our hearts and minds. Even the assumption that what we think and feel are true reflections of our being is dangerous. It implies that our souls are placid and the all things that enter and leave it do so without breaking its surface. Things seldom ripple us, but surge within our raging currents and breaking in the futile search for the shore. Upon such a turbulent surface one will seldom find a clear reflection. There are times when the waters are calmer than usual and the image it allows seems more consistent; but those are fleeting moments. How can one be expected to present a truth amidst the chaos of a new arrival? Strangely though, the more traumatic the experience and the more perplexing the resulting emotion, the more we are pressed to communicate a coherent comprehension. We cannot do so with honesty for it hardly exists yet for its bearer. So what is done is a social dance amidst introspective dressage. We take what we can and weight it up against the possible responses to a multitude of interpretations and select the one that suits the manner of its owner. We cannot be expected to open ourselves to others without reservation. Communicated truth is predominantly a staged presentation, scripted to induce the most favourable future, reduce harm and maintain one’s social station. When this process is not adhered to and our guard does not prevent the uncensored reflection of our tempestuous hearts from spilling out; we are deemed insensitive, uncaring or immature. We do not want the truth

So what is it that we base our lives on?