Honesty

I like to think of myself as an honest man. I am pretty good about making sure I do the things I say I'm going to do. If I don't want to do something I don't typically feel like I have to make up an excuse. When people ask my opinion (or when I just give it whether people want it or not, which is often the case with me) I try to be very honest, not sugar coating, fudging a little or imbellishing. However, there are instances in which even I feel like it would be much easier to just lie than to deal with the truth. Now I know there are certain situations in which probably all the populous would say that it is better to lie. For example, lets say a close friend of your's recently underwent Chemotherapy and most, or all of their hair fell out. If they asked, "Do I look bad or ridiculous?" All of us would probably say "no, its not bad at all." This in most cases would be a lie, but given the situation is there really any value to telling some one who is dealing with a potentially terminal disease that they don't look good? Ok so this is an extreme in which we can all lie and I am confident that God isn't going to be angry at us in that situation. However, I think it can be easy to take this liberty in other situations that really don't warrant it. I'm not saying we should go out and be brutal with people telling them "yes you do look fat, and its not because of that article of clothing its because you are fat" or "no you can't be on my intramural sports team because you really aren't good at this particular sport and you'll hold back the team". What I'm saying is our lack of honesty puts us on a path of lying. If we were honest with people from the get go I believe we would find ourselves in fewer situations where we have to decide between taking the easy/comfortable way out by lying or face the ackwardness and potential scuffle that could come with the truth. Think about the instances recently where you have either told a little lie or considered it and back track to see if there was a time in the past where you chose the lie that probably brought you to the point of having to decide again.

Here's an example: 6 months ago person A and person B are hanging out and person A says "I've been gaining weight and it sucks, none of my clothes are fitting like they used to. Do I look fat?" Person B could say "well if you think you're gaining weight then you probably are, what can we do to reverse that?" But chances are the response would be a little bit of a lie, something like "no I don't think you look fat, lets go shopping and we'll get you some new clothes"
So then 3 months later they are at a restaurant and person A says "what should I get, the double cheeseburger with unlimited french fries, or the chicken salad with light dressing" now, if person B lied 3 months ago and said "no you don't look fat" then they are in a bit of a jam now and will likely lie again to a degree by saying "get whatever sounds good to you" But, if person B had been truthful in the first situation they could then say "hey you're trying to keep your weight down remember, go for the chicken salad since its healthier and just as tastey, and we'll go for a jog later to take care of the dressing."

This example may be overly simple but I think you get what I mean. Consider whether or not you tell these kind of little lies and imagine your life without them, would it be good or bad?

What have you always wanted to do?

Alright folks now is your chance to tell the whole world (or at least those that read this blog) all the things you have always wanted to do, even if they are things that you are pretty sure you never will do. Regardless of whether or not they will happen or not, I think it is fun to imagine, so to get your creative juices flowing I'll list some of mine and who knows, perhaps you'll be inspired to make some of things on your list come to be.

1. I'd like to be the star of some big epic action movie like Gladiator or 300. Though I am well aware that I don't really have the look or the voice for a role like that so maybe I would be content with being a close friend of the main character who does something really tough or heroic.

2. I would like to compete in the olympics, play in the NFL, and play in the U.S Open (Tennis, not golf), and compete in an Ironman competition.

3. I would like to be a politician, if not president then at least Governor of California.

4. I would like to be an author of fantasy novels

5. Bill Gates gives somewhere around 45-55% of his wealth away, I would like to be the one to decide where that money goes. (No, I would not just pocket it for myself, I have it in me to be a great philanthropist)

6. I would like to be on American Gladiators, Survivor and the Amazing Race.

7. I would like to go back to the 16/1700's and spend some time as a sailor.

8. After I'm dead I would be very pleased to know that books were written about me and that I had some positive impact on humanity outside just my family and friends.

9. I would like to race in the Iditarod (that's the dog sledding race in Alaska)

10. I would like to try shooting a real life sniper rifle to see if my video game skills transfer over.

11. I would like to have the 1984 movie Red Dawn really happen and lead the resistance against the invading Russians.

Alright so now you know some of my most far fetched fantasies. Let's hear what you can come up with. Maybe, just maybe I have the power to make it happen for you, we'll see!