Honesty At A High Price

(As a child and young adult, I lied frequently. Today, I don't lie and haven't for many years. If the truth is too hurtful, I don't fabricate - I simply hold my tongue. The following story is why I no longer lie.)

I learned about honesty the hard way. It is a precious commodity, the coin with which trust is earned and kept. During my formative years I was a compulsive liar, knowing the concept of honesty and trading it for lies when it suited my purposes. I squandered foolishly others' trust, not realizing the price I was paying.

 

When I joined the United States Air Force, I found lies were fatal. As a member of a combat aircrew, trust among the fliers and ground crew is imperative. If someone is not trustworthy because of a lack of honesty, the integrity of a working team is critically compromised, confidence is eroded, insecurity or anger become evident and poor decisions or reactions can be made, endangering or taking the life of someone. I learned one person can make a difference, one person's actions have wide repercussions. It is not worth the lie to save on embarrassment if the cost is another's life.

 

Having learned the ultimate value of honesty, I found side benefits I had not considered. It takes a magnificent mind for remembering all the details to support a lie since it must live for a long period of time - sometimes years. Honesty doesn't require a person to keep the stories straight; there is only one story – the truth. Friends are more forthcoming, job opportunities and promotions are more accessible because of the reliability honesty brings, nights are spent sleeping instead of tossing guiltily and stress is reduced to manageable levels, reserved for everyday crises instead of self-imposed nervous tension. Each benefit is a different side of the truly valuable coin of honesty, a coin that enriches only when it is spent generously.

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Copyright 1998-2004 Colleen D. Bergeron.
Last revised: October 28, 2004.