Recently a friend of mine helped me get a dramatic discount on something I legitimately needed but could not afford at full price. Her gesture meant that a pet of mine received the care it needed. I was deeply appreciative.Tonight my mind opened up a bit. In the program I attend we speak often on honesty and what honesty looks like..little white lie, outright lying, lying with ill intent, etc. Also at the church I attend we speak of walking our talk. Between the program and my faith honesty becomes an important component of spiritual health, physical health and so much more. I have heard that I am only as sick as my secrets. I wholeheartedly subscribe to this powerful concept having spent many years keeping secrets, running from the uncomfortable light of truth. My reasons were many. Fear probably tops the list of my motivations.
So, I started to feel uncomfortable. I examined this awesome gesture from my friend under the light of truth. Did anyone have to lie, either by action or omission of the facts? Yes! All parties involved agreed quietly to make the arrangement and to be available to ensure it happened without any trouble. Did this act rob anyone? Yes, it directly robbed the business owner who generously allows perks to his employees which he trusts will not be abused. Was anyone harmed? My grandson who went with me and overheard the conversation about waiting for the right time so my friend would be available to provide the savings. What did that choice teach my grandson? It sure looks like grandma and her friends can make agreements that require secrecy! That there are times when we agree to hide the truth from others and it is o.k. to do wrong when it benefits us. Yet I will always teach him that telling the truth is a core component of trust between ourselves and others. My choice to ask my friend to provide this service directly led her into a situation that required her to fabricate and manipulate so that I could get an awesome bargain.
So...the world did not stop spinning and my animal is better off now and I appreciated my friend's offer of help but I will not be doing it again.My pastor once taught us that recording music from a friend's collection into our own collection was stealing. The music is sold for a reason. Taking that one small step of avoiding paying for music was a lie, a theft and wrong. Yes, we all want a bargain...you wash my back and I will wash your back kind of thing. But, for me, the choice is a first step down a long and slippery road. Darn it all!
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