Mean what you say, say what you mean!
When I was a child, Theodor Seuss Geisel was just coming into the spotlight for children’s books. Later awarded a honorary doctorate from Dartmouth College, the name you are most familiar with, Dr. Seuss, became his best known pen name. His career began long before the II World War, but we know and love him for the many lessons he taught us through his writings for children. One of my favorite was Horton Hatches an Egg. The story tells of a very lazy bird who lays an egg, but doesn’t want to be tied down to hatching it. She extracts a promise from Horton the elephant, to sit on her egg until she returns. He promises and commences sitting on the egg. The promise is easy to keep when the weather is fair, but winter sets in and Horton nearly freezes to death. But his mantra was, “I meant what I said, and I said what I meant; and elephants’ faithful 100%. That was a lesson we could all benefit from, to mean what you say, and say what you mean! In todays political arena, the lies fly like bees to honey, and most broadcasters wouldn’t know the truth if they were hit with it. If only our politicians were required to read all of Dr. Seuss’ books, perhaps the government would run a little smoother, and truthful, respectable, broadcasting would return to the airways.
There is a humorous commercial on television where the people say exactly what they are thinking. It may hurt feelings, but don’t you think that the truth might be refreshing in this day and age? The old adage; A man’s word is his bond, isn’t heard or respected anymore. What has happened to todays society when a person’s word doesn’t mean anything anymore? I think this is the time for all of us to reflect upon ourselves, and determine what type of person we want to be know for, keeping or breaking our word?
As parents we need to teach our children to honour their word. To always tell the truth, even if it means they will get into trouble. Let them know that they can always come to you with the truth, no matter the circumstances, and it will be met with love and understanding. Teach them the ten commandments, and it will give their lives a guide to follow to becoming upstanding adults.
We as writers will often teach the lesson about lying, making trouble for our characters, when they do not tell the truth. We need to apply this lesson to our own lives, remembering, there is no such thing as a little white lie.
Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.
Proverbs 12:22
He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
Proverbs 10:9
Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
Ephesians 4:25
But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
I John 2:5
But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
James 5:12
If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.
Numbers 30:2