Truth Will Set You Free

One of the things I've spent a minute wondering is why people are so afraid of the truth.  I've noticed the issue isn't exactly the hearing the truth, rather, it's the telling the truth.  Some people don't tell the truth because they are afraid of someone's response; it's as if they are trying to preserve the feelings of that person.  Some people don't tell the complete truth.  It may be to save their own skin, someone's feelings, or maybe they don't feel like its important.  Others, dance around the truth.  They tend to nearly be honest, but then back down for fear offending the person.  It's a shame, for sure.  People aren't brave enough tot tell the truth because so many these days are precious little snowflakes.  ...and that's what wrong with our world.

But before I get started on a rant, let me get to the point.

Lately, I've come to the realization that most of the snowflakes I have encountered have missed out on the truth.  Truthfully, it's not because they were lied to; it's because they weren't told the whole truth.  They have been coddled and led to believe that their choices are infallible.  Somewhere along the way, this turned in to entitlement and the belief that they are owed something.  What a disservice to them!

I know that this cycle started out well-intentioned, but it goes back for generations.  Parents tried to encourage their babies, they tried to encourage them to dream and spread their wings, and then, when it was time be a bit tougher and what some would call brutally honest, they lost their courage to tell their baby when they messed up.  They forgot that their kids need guidance and direction rather than a best friend.  When they needed someone to be brave enough to tell them the truth, all they had were cowards to coddle and, ultimately, lie to them.

I've seen what happens when you lose your courage:

When this cycle starts, it's because this child hasn't grown up in a home where their decisions were praised when they were good, and admonished when they needed to be.  They became adults who were unteachable and unable to take criticism.  They become adults who think they they do no wrong, even when their decisions are questionable.  

Maybe, at some point, the parent who lost their courage finds it and decides that something needs to be said.  Unfortunately, the relationship is not conducive to admonition, and the parent has to tread lightly for fear of their baby never speaking to them again.  What usually happens is a dance around the truth.  Even still, that is offensive, and the child is upset for a while, at least.  

The trouble with wanting to start telling the truth this far down the road is that the cost is higher. It would have been way less costly if courage was held on to when they were just a darling, cooing baby.  No matter what, the truth will cost you.  Potentially, the cost will be relationships.  It may cost you pride.  Mostly, though, it will cost you comfort.  It's going to be awkward at times, and goodness knows, it's going to be hard, but if you are willing to sacrifice some comfort temporarily, your outcome will be vastly different.  

Keep your courage, and be brave enough to tell the truth.  Then, maybe, our world will be full of brave men and women with integrity rather than a snowflake that melts away under a warm breath.  Let's build strong adults.