Gray Area

I read blogs. It passes the time and generally I find it an effective way to keep myself entertained. Well today, as I was fulfilling my blog fix, I came across this entry about our inner hypocrite. The blogger titled his entry "Self-Justification" and dissected our ability to inappropriately justify ourselves when we act out this inner hypocrisy. In English: even if we don't believe in lying, we're all capable of tell our friend we love her haircut, when we really think it looks like a shiatsu died on her head. I mean, it's cool - we all do it - we tell a little lie, a fib to make the moment go just a bit smoother. Whether we do it to someone else or ourselves, we're all guilty of using our inner hypocrisy to candy coat our darker instincts.

Which is why I have always found "honest" people so fascinating. I look in the mirror and I see an honest guy. I'm pretty much a straight shooter (latent pun). I believe the people in my world would agree, I pretty much always tell the truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God. Well, that is, until my life, my dignity, money, sex, or food is at risk. Then I get into a little "white lie zone" where I might puff up my chest a little bit bigger, smile a little bit wider, and/or overlook a few of the facts. Depending on what's at risk, I could see myself (not that I really ever do it - I just know I am very capable, as are you) just straight up bearing false witness. Case in point: "I did not have sexual allegations with that woman." It intrigues me that "honest" people don't come out and say this about themselves. An honest man is a man who honestly knows he's capable of lying.

What inspired this entry was a noble idea presented in that blog I was reading. He made a statement that he was glad that everything he writes is set and documented, thereby provoking him to stay true to his own ideals and belief system. He even stated that if he were ever caught being a hypocrite, that he would appreciate his readers to let him know - as if at the time, he wouldn't be aware. (Yeah, I'm sure). My thoughts: first of all, we aren't black or white, good or evil. We're people. We're all gray area, and in my opinion, those actively labelling this as right and that as wrong, are simpletons that choose not to grasp the depth of our human nature. Sure, it would be great to just pick a side. We wake up each morning, basking in the light, full of the very goodness of the Lord. Can't you see it: helping grandmothers with their grocery bags, spending free time changing illegal immigrants into legal citizens with purpose in our country, sharing pure joy to every person you meet. Yeah, I wish. I'm not like that, at least not everyday, all the time. It'd be hard to convince me you're like that too. You have human impulses that exist outside of your own righteousness. (Even if you do give to charity voluntarily.)

The point: understand that you are gray area. You are defined by a universe you will never fully comprehend and circumstances you cannot foresee. However, people do respond to you better if you are classifiable. The key to effectively taking one stance is our ability to see the other side. Is it not our ability to engage our hypocritical nature that leads us to understand the opposing viewpoint? Beware of the man who doesn't acknowledge he's able to see it and do it in a different light. Con man's work best wardrobed in classy business suits. It is wise to understand that we are all capable of anything that lends itself to our own survival. Something to think about.