Little lies, big truths

Today I told a lie. I mean it wasn’t about anything really. Or, was it? And, it wasn’t important. Maybe, it was. I mean, it neither saved a life or ended one. So, if it was of little value, why did I tell it to begin with? When I walked away from the situation in which the lie was served, I chastised myself for failing to simply hold my tongue and letting that little piece of nothing remain where it was.

You see, what happened was, there was a group of people speaking one truth about someone they considered a truly distasteful patient. However, when I entered the room and showed compassion and a spirit of non-judgement, that patient simply opened up and explained to me why their attitude was the way it was. We had a lovely conversation and I left the room. Once I rounded the corner, there they all sat.

See, I told you, that patient got issues and I am so tired of all that ranting about what the problem is and how it has not been addressed. We have bent over backwards trying to satisfy all the requests coming out of there. How were you treated? They said.

Now, I should have said that I was treated fine. But, that is where the lie stood up and took over.

That patient should get a clue. Who has time to listen to all that complaining? I said.

And, the rest of the magpies, chortled and waved their narrow beaks from side to side in agreement.

The big truth in this story is that rather than be honest and disclose that it was empathy that made a difference in the interaction (which would have highlighted their lack of it) I chose to denigrate the patient, not the perpetrators.

Boomer wisdom has come to realize that sometimes it is hard to tell those we know who hurt others or speak harshly about people they really know nothing about, the unvarnished truth about who they are. The fact of the matter is that when you neglect to take time to find out why hurting people lash out, you miss an opportunity to effect healing. And, if you are lucky enough to touch another human being in a place that is damaged that brings about a positive change,  it is incumbent on you to share what it took to do it.

To cover it up with a lie, is a travesty to truth. Honesty really is the best policy.

Blessings to you!