LIES AND LAUGHTER

Originally, I planned to write this blog on the power of laughter. I WILL get to that, but my attempts at thinking positive thoughts have been interrupted by a nagging issue that eats away at me. Something has changed in our society. My question to all of you: Why has lying become acceptable in our country? What happened to our sense of morality? Why do we not value honesty anymore? Why have alternative facts(lies) become the norm? From the earliest age, we are taught to tell the truth. My parents told me that no matter how bad I thought the truth was, they would never punish me if I was honest. But today, fearing the consequences of lying no longer seems to have any impact. I am not just referring to politics. To me, this is solely about our expectations of society's behavior. Telling the truth is not an unreasonable expectation, nor is it unattainable. So why do people lie? There are many reasons: Preservation of self image or reputation, avoiding embarrasment, protecting ourselves from punishment or harm, and finally, for either financial/educational/or professional gain. Possibly, the only time lying might be acceptable would be to spare a friend or family member's feelings. Even then, it is questionable at best. "An honest enemy is always better than a friend who lies." I guess what is most disconcerting is that we, as a country, seem to be less concerned with knowing or believing the actual facts, and we are increasingly nonchalant about lies. George F. Keenan, counselor of the U.S. Embassy in Stalin's Moscow warned us of the power held by lies. He said, "in the case of many people it is possible to make them feel and believe practically anything. No matter how untrue something might be for people who believe it, it becomes true." In order to understand his statement, one has to look no further than the scientific facts about covid vaccines and climate change, the actual photos of the January 6 Capitol Insurrection, or the final statistics of who won our recent presidential election. No matter how difficult the truth is for you to hear or accept, reality is always preferable to falsities and delusion. Friedrich Nietzsche said, "I am not upset that you lied to me, I'm upset that from now on, I can't believe you. I hope there will be a shift in our country's values. This is not an atmosphere in which to raise our children and grandchildren. Something MUST change....soon. (And, as a total unrelated comment: shame on you, Justice Gorsuch-google it!) Now, more than ever, our country's current challenges, burdens, and difficulties have exacerbated our desire to live joyfully. We need to seek every opportunity to laugh. The wonderful thing about laughter is that it just destroys any kind of system which divides people. Mark Twain said, "against the assault of laughter nothing can stand." Humans have one really effective weapon against stress and anxiety-and it is the ability to laugh, it is our spiritual warfare. We know that laughing enhances our intake of oxygen; and it stimulates our lungs, muscles, and heart. It increases endorphins released in our brains and also improves the immune system. It will keep us healthy and young. So, surround yourself with friends and family who provide comic relief. Watch a funny movie or listen to Kimmel's opening monologue. Play with your children and grandchildren or your pet-they always make us smile. Dr. Seuss was right when he said, "from there to here, from here to there, funny things are everywhere!" "Among those whom I like or admire, I can find no common denominator, but among those whom I love, I can: ALL OF THEM MAKE ME LAUGH." PEACE OUT-ONE B