truth of the pudding lies in

"Log aaj kal bahut jhoot bolne lagey hain" (nowadays, people lie a lot) said Kamleshji this morning and further added, "And that's the biggest challenge of our times".

Kamleshji, in his mid-sixties, earns his survival by selling milk packets, door-to-door to about 300 homes. He has vivid memories from 60's onwards. And he believes that "when a society pawns truth for desires, interest rates take generations to repay, and principal is wiped out along with the culture".

His statement reincarnated the year 2008 in my memories. Another corner stone of the world. Many corner offices shook up. Some even vanished. They say that the massive financial meltdown was due to holding-trading of an asset class that had a draining-drowning hole in it.

But, was financial market, the place where delivery shamed the promise?

No.

Actually it’s much deeper.

It’s called "a man's words" or "a gentleman's promise".

We all keep trading words. Almost 100 million in twenty years.

Words are bearers of promise.

Promise of action. Promise of belief.

Promise of intent. Promise of consistency.

Words are promissory notes.

However, it can get dangerous...and it’s called "over-promissory notes" or "lies".

What is a “lie”?

That which is, is not a lie.

That which is not, but pushed as what is, is a lie.

And we are certainly not referring to optimism.

We are referring to “a lie repeated ad infinitum might become a truth”.

Somehow, we are rushed to believe that "lying" is a social asset class. And it draws a misnomer as a "survival" kit.

Lying about the ability to achieve targets.

Lying about one's true intent in the meetings.

Lying about a product's features.

Lying about resume and experience.

Lying about one's feelings for someone.

Lying about our true desire in relationships.

Lying about our strengths and weaknesses.

Lying about having confusion in mind, but displaying surety.

And because we have been found wanting in critical thinking cum emotional intelligence and self-awareness, "lies become a convenient self-serving truth"

However, unlike the financial asset classes that are quickly passed on like hot potatoes to someone else while making quick bucks, "lies"do not leave us at all.

They stick with us.

They haunt us.

They cripple us.

The nervous us.

And they push us to manufacture more of them...much like malignant cells.

Is “lie” such a bad thing?

Seems so.

Imagine 7 billion people on the planet right now.

And in each passing moment, half of them are lying.

That is what is called "illusion".

And "illusion" leads to more chaos and more lying.

Because "lies" affect not just character, but also health.

Because “lies” interfere in clear thinking and full-heart to a labor, thus making every moment a mere mediocre.
Because "lies" can slow the GDP of a country.

So what do we do?

Spotting a liar seems to be a natural instinct. But wait a minute. Tim Franklin, erstwhile USA Secret Service agent, argues that though with an extremely deft and intense training in spotting a liar, there is a very long long way to go.

The question still remains, "so what do we do?"

Simple.

Start a truth and confessions mission!!!

One confession a day.

In meetings or relationships or to our own self.

By being thankful for what we have...in form of our failures, mistakes, and vulnerabilities. By taking these as opportunities to learn, grow and co-operate.

Confession has power.

Truth has magic.

It builds spine of steel.

It moves mountains.

It paves creativity and collaboration and builds resources.

So what is my confession for the day.

"It took me 10 times to scribble this email this morning. And it looks a fast-stitch. I could do a better job. I shall try the next time"

So, Happy Confessions.

And Thank You.