BESTSELF™ ICEBREAKER | Life Lessons 23

WHAT LIE DID YOUR PARENTS TELL YOU BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT IT WAS IN YOUR BEST INTEREST? 

What lie didn’t they tell?

Every manipulation was in my best interest (and that of my sisters) or so they said.

Every word out of my mother’s mouth was a lie: a way to get her way, a way to hurt those around her, a way to manipulate, a way to create drama, a way to gossip and make others look bad while always being the hero of her story, or the victim. It was exhausting. For a time in my late teens and early 20’s, I tried the same tactics, more out of curiosity than anything else. Being completely unpracticed, my attempts were spectacularly disastrous!

The lesson I learned was to be impeccable with my words. It’s so much easier to remember the truth than it is to carry around a lie.

I think my father has convinced himself that when he lies he’s doing it for the good of others. Most likely he’s doing it for the good of himself. He is motivated to do the thing that will make his life most easy and non-confrontational and if that requires an untruth then he’s all in. Other times I know he’s playing a game, making us all dance to his tune, for his own curiosity and amusement.

Everyone justifies their lies in any way they can in order to feel better about themselves.

I simply don’t have the time, desire, or energy for it. Life’s too short. And, plus, if I’m going for shock value, a well-placed truth is far more effective.