Continuing the Story

Last night while I was walking home from small group (bible study), I was thinking about lies. Okay maybe not the most normal thing to be thinking about while walking home at night. Its just that this last week I've been thinking a lot about the lies I tell people. We all tell lies. Whether we embellish on the truth or lie to hide what we are shamed of. Lies are in some ways easier to tell then the truth. 

When I was in college I joked for a little while that I was studying to be a professional lier. In some ways it was the truth. Theatre can be seen as one big lie. You are telling a story, acting out something, playing a character, and all of it is not who you are or how you really act. Even if the story is based somehow in reality, it is embellished to be more dramatic. Part of learning how to act is getting inside of a character. Its almost like creating another personality within yourself.I know that stories have their place, because they can teach us about ourselves and comment on how we live. But there is something about getting inside of a character or inside a story that can change you. Sometimes this is a good thing. 

But I'm not talking about the good stories. The ones that teach you more about yourself and help you to better connect with what is around you. I'm not talking about the gooey, feel good stories. I'm talking about the other side. The stories that destroy.

So last night as I walked home, I thought about the stories I tell to gather attention. Not bad things in themselves. But they aren't always the full dirty truth. Because lets face it the truth is not always nice and huggable. So this lent I've decided that I'm going to try telling the truth more. To stop embellishing my stories (as much as that is fun) and start listening more to other people. We'll see how it goes.

Anyone else doing something for Lent?