When I came to know that April 30 is celebrated as National Honesty Day in USA, I was a little surprised that a day is dedicated to celebrate a virtue that is dying at a tragically quick rate in the current times. I really do not know how Americans celebrate this day but I do know for a fact that honesty is indeed an asset of a quality that everyone should try to cultivate in their life but you should also be aware that this is not an easy business. There is hardly any person on this earth who can claim to have never lied or pretended.
Yes, honesty is about telling the truth and being what you are. It is not about artifice or lies or manipulation. The irony is that the times we are living in fosters manipulations and artifice in such a subtle but strong way that pretension and manipulation have become the way of life. People do not find anything wrong in it. Social media offers enough evidence in this regard and one can clearly feel that people are becoming shallower, which is a dangerous trend 😦
Still, it is not like honest people do not exist. They do but the breed is getting smaller day by day because no one finds honesty cool. It is not considered practical but those who have lived an honest life can tell from their experience that honesty is indeed the best policy to follow in life. It may not always guarantee success and gains but it definitely guarantees peace of mind. I know very few want it. Materialism is the mantra these days and when phrases like “You only live once” “Your time is limited” “Make the most of the present” guide our life, power and profits are the only pursuits that seem worth going after.
These two pursuits are not unrighteous per se but what is wrong is that people do not refrain from trampling on others to get these. Of course, one’s time is limited but it is not so limited that you can drown it in lies and manipulations and pretend that all is ok. It is true you live once but that does not mean you should have no qualms about taking advantage of others to further your interest. Agreed, making the most of the present moment is the wisest thing to do but it should not be done without taking a look at the results that will follow after. Remember, you will not die after making the most of this fancy moment. You will live to see and experience its consequences.
So, do not do things mindlessly. It is better to be honest with oneself and the world one is living in. It is definitely not easy but not so tough either. Simplicity is the key to being honest and if you can try to be simple, you will not find it hard to tell the truth. So, try to lead a simple lifestyle. Be compassionate and kind to the ones who are less fortunate and if possible, spend time with those who are sick, old, poor or miserable in some way. Help them because these are the harsh realities that will make you realize the transient nature of life. It will humble you and help you become honest, which once achieved, will become something that you will prize and guard throughout your life 🙂
Reflections 