Every morning that I walk into the law school library, I greet the security guards and the maintenance workers as I proceed up the stairs to my respective study corner. *Wave* *smile* “goodmorning, how are you?” – and the anticipated answer comes “just fine”; “good”; “blessed”. I have noticed that honesty has become somewhat of a taboo – almost looked unfavorably upon. When is the last time someone asked you how were doing and you actually spit the truth – “shitty”; “tired”; “frustrated”; “defeated”; “like a superstar”; “constipated”. Why is this the case. Even in a friendship or when you are just meeting someone, it is wrong to “show all of your cards”, or to let the person know how you truly feel. Only in our closest relationships, with our siblings or a close roommate, do we feel uninhibited – and that is only for the lucky.

But truth is FREEING. What are we scared of, what are we trying to hide?

Maybe of judgment, or rejection. Maybe we know deep down inside that people don’t really care about “what’s up?!?” with you or “how are you doing this morning?” – What’s even worst is that we do this so much without thinking that we never stop to question what is actually going on. In this surface exchange, we squander an authentic moment to possible connect with another soul only to satiate our notions of “good manners” by spitting a lie.

The surprising thing is that we convince others that everything is A-Ok, that we “got it going on”. Yeah I know that we should speak words of life to each other. But life is never “all good”. What a precious opportunity to share and unload your burdens, if not just for a second, when someone poses a question.

Today my charge: to break bonds with truth and hopefully inspiring someone to break free in the process.