The Rules of Lying

 

(c) Deborah Evans

According to a 2022 CBS News report, the average person tells four lies each day.

This survey report suggests lying has become a natural  and habitual way of life for many people. Rather than simply condemning this habit -- a habit most people acknowledge as "wrong", or "less than best"--I thought it would be more useful to list the rules of lying.

Rule 1: Deny actions and experiences that may require the telling of a lie at a later point in time.

Rule 2: Remind yourself of Rule 1 each day.

Rule 3:  Remember the average person tells four lies each day and take this into account during your conversations and contacts. It is likely you are being lied to regularly.

Rule 4:  Self-examine on why lies often appear an easier "out" than telling the truth.

Rule 5:  Self-examine on what type of relationship you have with a person you regularly lies to or tell lies about.

Habits are hard to break, but the breaking begins when you refuse to lie to yourself. Ask yourself: 1. Why am I choosing actions that require lies as a follow up? 2. Why am I interacting with people who accept lies as a part of the relationship? 3. What part of myself am I dishonoring, denying, and diminishing by lying?

Begin with truth-telling. You can build on that.