Why tell the truth?

Why tell the truth? Well, it's becoming a rare commodity. People are communicating more than ever, but they are not really "connecting." Most of the people I know often feel alone and in their own world even if they are surrounded by people. This is how I feel sometimes too, but now I am getting better because I am making a frightening and bold effort to be myself and give certain people enough credit so that they can understand me and I in turn, can understand them. So, first we need to take a risk and trust--but without that, we are going nowhere. Projection and the showcasing of one's possessions is an empty road that leads to misery since nothing ever comes of it. However, so many are relying on identifying and defining themselves through material belongings that the new financial crisis is their biggest concern and fear because they are worshipping money and themselves.

It can be argued that God doesn't mind our financial establishments being compromised because this means, for many, that we are not really the ones "in control" and, yes, God is the one in control.

Besides the artifice of "social climbing", our technological devices are also creating distance between us. People are addicted to their Blackberries--this steals time away from loved ones.

One time I was on the way to the Museum with my family and kids, when my husband got an email on his Blackberry which caused him panic about a work situation. This Blackberry email stole my husband's joy on a day I had been looking forward to. Also, I see teenagers (and younger kids), out to dinner with their parents and the whole time they are 'texting' or listening to an Mp3 player. And email, what happened to a letter on stationary in handwriting? I am bored with prints and fonts--people hide behind them. Handwriting is colorful and reveals something about a person. Handwriting has character. Also, the emails are something I don't have time for. I am busy with kids and other responsibilities. People think I'm being obtuse, but just call, after all, we have more phones than ever, and we are paying handsomely for them, internet and cable, (if it seemed like your parents had more money than you do, this is why).

Finally, the most ridiculous reason for ingenuine communication could be attributed to our contrived sense of 'political correctiveness' which has already made the assumption that someone, somewhere will be offended by virtue of its existence. So we are left with a relative obscure set of rules about what we can say and when and to whom. Being "real" with others requires a certain spontaneity and creativity, not a packaged "one size fits all" conversation.

Well, in conclusion, maybe the existentialists like Camus and Munch were right. They saw the breakdown of human communication almost a century ago. While I do admit that the barriers for truth and intimacy are strong, I must submit that the human spirit with its need for love and expression is much stronger. I would encourage people everywhere to tell the truth about what is really inside of them--You have no idea how many people could be helped because it is the truth that brings healing and companionship to our weary souls.