The Gray Area

When I think about telling lies, I see it as an art, almost like a superpower even, because you get to tell people things that aren't true and make them believe it like it is true, almost as if you're controlling their minds. This is why I try my best not to tell lies unless its totally worth it and absolutely necessary.

To be honest, this isn't something to brag about but when I do make up my mind to tell a lie, I do it so well that sometimes, I feel like even if they eventually find out the truth about me lying to them, they would be too impressed with the lie and how well told it was, to be upset about the fact that I did lie to them in the first place.

The crazy thing is that earlier this morning, while I was on the phone with my dad, he had somehow insinuated that I was lying to him. He didn't exactly call me a liar, but certain words that he had used had insinuated it and I found myself crying while on that call. Part of the reason why I cried was because I was sad that he would even think that (all my life I've tried to be honest with him or avoid any questions that I know would force me to lie to him), another reason why I had shed a tear was because I felt somehow insulted that he thought that even if I wanted to lie to him, it would be something this dumb and unprofessional.

Like I said, it's nothing to brag about but this man definitely doesn't know how good my acting skills have gotten over the years and how believable I can make things sound.

_{photo by antonio molinari}

Thankfully, I've found out from my own experience that not being trustworthy isn't something anyone wants for themselves. I've told a story here in the past of the time back when I was a little kid and would always lie unnecessarily, only to find a snake somewhere close to our church and no one believed me.

It was experiences like that, that made me understand fully the consequences of lying and that was why I had to stop because the last thing I want is people doubting whatever I say because they know me as the guy who always tell lies.

But then again, I do feel that there are times where we do have to lie, and sometimes it doesn't have to feel right, you just have to focused on the bigger picture. Of course if lying would save someone's life, then we shouldn't even have to think twice about it because if we do decide to say the truth and they end up losing their life, that truth would hunt us until we eventually die.

So are there certain times when we do have to lie? The answer is yes. As long as it's for a good reason, then yes. The question we should be asking though, is what reason is good enough to tell a lie?