Controlled By Lies

 

At one point, some of us may recognize that our innocence is shattered. Which innocence that would be—depends on each individual. It could be an individual who suddenly realized that most people are liars.

When I was growing up in the 1960s and 1970s; if I lied I would’ve been beaten by my dad and sent up to my room without dinner. Yes, that is what would’ve happened. And because I did not lie—that never happened to me.

So, it took me till I was about thirty-seven years of age to understand that most people lie. I was so disturbed when my then running coach accused me of lying—that I called up a woman I knew as a trauma specialist. I needed to ask a trusted professional—why would my coach who’s known me for years accuse me of lying.  When I knew that I hadn’t. And that I would consider lying a criminal act.

Yes, I believed that lying was/is one of the most sinful things a person could do. Lying to me is equal to a betrayal of sorts. It is painful, harmful to humanity at minimum. I may not call you out on it. I might walk away. Act as though it didn’t happen—perhaps stay clear away from visiting the subject matter.

To be clear, I’m not one of these inexperienced humans. I’ve survived fire, flood, crime, disease, all sorts of stuff. I know some of the most deepest, darkest horrible things. Things I may never tell our daughters. Some have been front page news. Other situations have been hidden for decades—rarely seeped out by me if at all.

I’ve contemplated, on if and when I would ever tell our daughters much of what I’ve experienced—much of what I know. Its too heavy for young minds. And I’ve discovered inexperienced minds as well. It is mind-blowing, knee buckling, sickening, and heart-sinking. Over the years, I’ve discovered most people cannot handle much of what I’ve experienced and known.

The good news is that they’re unfamiliar with such things. They’ve most likely have had a ‘peachy’ living, no matter the age. The bad news is—that those things that are possibly so dark will be ignored by society repeatedly—to the degree that society will not know truths. In turn new legislation, new education, better understanding has been greatly delayed by most who don’t or won’t allow the truth to be a reckoning force. And that is how evil reigns. Because people can be controlled by lies—that they want to believe.---Jody-Lynn Reicher