I am playing basketball in the All Soul’s schoolyard. Metal nets, slightly elevated asphalt. I am shooting uphill because the rim is better and the downhill side often meant you were chasing the ball. Off to the side of the court I hear a deep recognizable voice say “Allio”. I know why he is there and I am filled with dread. A few days before some classmates and me were “exploring” in the church basement. We came to an unlocked room and looked inside. It had full candy bars and M&Ms. My entire life to that point I probably never had a full candy bar. I took one. The next day I went back and took another. I knew they were not free for the taking and someone told me they were meant to be sold at Bingo night. The was no ambivalence about whether it was wrong, I knew and I still took it.

Father Durkin, standing 6’6” having called me away from the basketball game was now staring down at me. He asked me if I knew some candy had gone missing. I said “Yes”. He asked me if I had taken any. I looked him straight in the eye and say “No”. He pushed, “was I sure?”. I told him I didn’t take any. I lied to his face. I didn’t get into any trouble.  And that’s when I discovered how powerful lying can be.

Years later, when I was 17, I was getting ready for school when my older brother asked me if I had used his razor. I said no. He pushed me, said he knew I used it. I said, no, I had not used it. In fact, I had not used it. He was convinced I was lying and he would not let it go. I was so angry. And that’s when I discovered that some people won’t trust you, and that it has more to do about them, than you.

So, what’s the lesson here. Don’t lie, it’s seldom worth it. A the end of the day there will be those who judge and those who ignore you. You will know the truth. It is your integrity. Maintain it.

I’ll leave you with a quote Eleanor Roosevelt:

Do what you feel in your heart to be right - for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't.

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About Lying