A few years ago a movie came out starring Robin Williams entitled "Jakob the Liar".
".... In 1944 Nazi-occupied Poland, former pancake vendor Jakob Heym accidentally overhears a radio news bulletin suggesting that the Soviet army is successfully advancing on German forces. He takes this news back to the "ghetto" as a sliver of hope for friends in desperate need of it. They eat it up. It doesn't take long for rumors to spread about Jakob's reported pipeline to the outside world. His Jewish friends are under the false impression that he owns a radio, which is nothing short of communications contraband. After several attempts to straighten out the misunderstanding, he discovers that it's easier, and quite possibly in every one's best interest, if he simply lets them continue to believe the lie. They eagerly anticipate his daily reports that suggest WWII may soon be over. Jakob provides false hope to fellow WWII Jews in a Nazi controlled village, by allowing them to believe that he has a line of communication with the rest of the world thrue a radio....." (courtesy of Plugged in online)
The comment in the review that I find interesting is that "...he found it easier and in every one's best interest to let them believe the lie." How often do we, meaning (I), allow a lie or possibly some half-truths, or even some altered details, to flow from our (my) lips or the lips of others? Which is easier; to be completely, totally, open and honest about everything? Or call a lie, a lie and the person a liar?
I think that the first is absolutely harder then the last. Why?
Because I am human, man, and work in the Oil Bidness! An industry that highly encourages lying, cussing,non-responsibility, no failure,cheating, drinking,lying, drinking, long hours, good pay, ...well you get the picture.
In my current position, I interact daily with the clients on several projects that are problematic at best and hellacious at worst. The client really does not want to know why the projects are late, or problematic;just that somebody(Me) is kicking butt and taking names to get it fixed, and reporting as such (lies). My company really does not care that the projects are late or problematic, just that somebody (me); mollifies the client (lies) and takes full responsibility for the failures of the company with the client (lies), and reports it (lies).
The few times the truth has been shared, or made known; it was as if the world had jumped its axis. The client could not handle the truth, and my company tried to crucify me! In my personal life; my altered details, half-truths and outright lies have caused hard earned trusts to be broken, hurt feelings, wounded spirits,angry words, and a falling away from God to occur.
Most people would prefer to lead their life not knowing the truth, not sharing truth or not wanting the responsibility for knowing the truth and sharing it. Most people avoid not having to confront others in their life when they speak words of untruth or allow an untruth to stand.
As I said earlier, it is harder for me to be completely open and honest, then it is for me to call a lie a lie and a liar a liar. All the above BS aside, its because it is very hard to condemn yourself, and realize that you are a coward and much easier to condemn others.
I am dedicated to being an honest, trustworthy, God fearing man. I am truly loved, blessed, and challenged by an exceptionally beautiful woman of God. She helps to hold me to the idea of unconditional, loving truth with myself and others; irregardless of the consequences. Even when I make her late for coffee with her best girl pal, and am stubborn and mired in my self righteous #ssholiness, she holds me to the truth.
".... In 1944 Nazi-occupied Poland, former pancake vendor Jakob Heym accidentally overhears a radio news bulletin suggesting that the Soviet army is successfully advancing on German forces. He takes this news back to the "ghetto" as a sliver of hope for friends in desperate need of it. They eat it up. It doesn't take long for rumors to spread about Jakob's reported pipeline to the outside world. His Jewish friends are under the false impression that he owns a radio, which is nothing short of communications contraband. After several attempts to straighten out the misunderstanding, he discovers that it's easier, and quite possibly in every one's best interest, if he simply lets them continue to believe the lie. They eagerly anticipate his daily reports that suggest WWII may soon be over. Jakob provides false hope to fellow WWII Jews in a Nazi controlled village, by allowing them to believe that he has a line of communication with the rest of the world thrue a radio....." (courtesy of Plugged in online)
The comment in the review that I find interesting is that "...he found it easier and in every one's best interest to let them believe the lie." How often do we, meaning (I), allow a lie or possibly some half-truths, or even some altered details, to flow from our (my) lips or the lips of others? Which is easier; to be completely, totally, open and honest about everything? Or call a lie, a lie and the person a liar?
I think that the first is absolutely harder then the last. Why?
Because I am human, man, and work in the Oil Bidness! An industry that highly encourages lying, cussing,non-responsibility, no failure,cheating, drinking,lying, drinking, long hours, good pay, ...well you get the picture.
In my current position, I interact daily with the clients on several projects that are problematic at best and hellacious at worst. The client really does not want to know why the projects are late, or problematic;just that somebody(Me) is kicking butt and taking names to get it fixed, and reporting as such (lies). My company really does not care that the projects are late or problematic, just that somebody (me); mollifies the client (lies) and takes full responsibility for the failures of the company with the client (lies), and reports it (lies).
The few times the truth has been shared, or made known; it was as if the world had jumped its axis. The client could not handle the truth, and my company tried to crucify me! In my personal life; my altered details, half-truths and outright lies have caused hard earned trusts to be broken, hurt feelings, wounded spirits,angry words, and a falling away from God to occur.
Most people would prefer to lead their life not knowing the truth, not sharing truth or not wanting the responsibility for knowing the truth and sharing it. Most people avoid not having to confront others in their life when they speak words of untruth or allow an untruth to stand.
As I said earlier, it is harder for me to be completely open and honest, then it is for me to call a lie a lie and a liar a liar. All the above BS aside, its because it is very hard to condemn yourself, and realize that you are a coward and much easier to condemn others.
I am dedicated to being an honest, trustworthy, God fearing man. I am truly loved, blessed, and challenged by an exceptionally beautiful woman of God. She helps to hold me to the idea of unconditional, loving truth with myself and others; irregardless of the consequences. Even when I make her late for coffee with her best girl pal, and am stubborn and mired in my self righteous #ssholiness, she holds me to the truth.
I love you Laura Beadle.
5 comments:
Oh my...That is a bit honest isn't it!
I refuse to be ordinary, and I will commit to be a man of integrity!
hmm. I wonder how this will go? I you ready for the fall out?
Awwww- where are my kleenixs?
I'm proud of you Jo for taking a stand, I know that can't be easy!!
I'll be praying for you and Laura!
Good guess this week :)
Funny thing is I am also a Joseph, also a husband, and also the same age as you! LOL
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