It's true, I lied.
Just a minute...I need a smile here.
Yup, you read that correctly. I lied. Now before you get all concerned and hyperventilate, let me explain. I don’t make a habit of lying in general. In fact, I won’t even lie to get myself out of trouble. I figure if I legitimately did something wrong, then I absolutely deserve what’s coming to me. And me lying just to get out of it, isn’t right. I hate lying! Back to the lie that I told. My lie was a GOOD lie. Now that does not mean I got away with something. It’s a good lie because it’s a different kind of lie. The good kind. (And for the record, I still do NOT agree with lying in general).
How or when is a lie ever good?
Keep in mind lying is rarely ever good to do. So choose CAUTION HERE: When you’re lying about something to save someone’s life. Or to be kind to someone. I know we’ve all heard the joke about how the wife asks her husband “Does this dress make me look fat?” and of course he answers “No.” That’s not what I mean when I’m saying to lie to be kind to someone. (The wife did not want the husband to lie to her). And just to clarify, I believe in telling the truth even if it hurts. Like when someone asks you is their face red, and you tell them the truth and say yes it is.
A lie is a good lie, if your lie is told to protect someone, especially from themselves. Otherwise, don’t lie. How could you possibly tell the truth more often and not get punched in the face for it? Let me help you out here.
Question: Your friend asks you, “Do I look good in this dress?” You don’t think so but you don’t want to hurt their feelings. Don’t lie! Answer: Instead of lying, you simply say “If you like the dress, then that’s great. It’s not for me, but we don’t have to like everything exactly the same, right?”
Question: Your friend goes fishing with you for the first time and catches nothing. But you did. The next day when you meet back up, he asks if you caught anything. You don’t want him to feel bad. But don’t lie! Answer: Your answer- “I did, but I think I was in a better spot. Next time, let’s switch spots so you can catch something.”
Telling them the truth in a kinder, better way is still telling the truth. You don’t have to be mean or insulting to tell the truth. Instead, choose your words carefully. Use the same kindness you would want others to use in telling you the truth.
What’s an example of a “GOOD lie”? When you go out with a friend, they drink a little too much, then decide to get behind the wheel. You could take the keys and say “I’d like to drive because I want to treat you to special ‘chauffeur’ service.” (Just remember not to drive if you’ve been drinking too!) You don’t really want to be the chauffeur, but you definitely don’t want them driving either!
Another example of a GOOD lie: Your child drew you a picture, and you can just about tell what it’s supposed to be. You tell them it’s a nice picture. And then you tell them to keep practicing so they can get even better, maybe even good enough to get their artwork in a magazine someday. Telling them it’s a nice picture is the truth, as artwork is subjective. Meaning everyone likes something different when it comes to art. You’re not lying that it’s nice. To you. But if they asked could they get it in a magazine right now, you’d have to tell them, “That’s up to the magazine honey.”
And this brings me to my very own good lie. Never lie to get out of trouble, or to cheat someone out of something. NEVER! Instead, my lie was a good lie to my elderly aunt. She was fussing about something, and added it was because she was old. I told her she wasn’t old. I said that one hundred and fifty years might be considered by some to be old, but since she was far younger than that, she couldn’t be old. Which made her smile from my obvious twist. A small twist in the facts. A very GOOD lie.
