Sometimes Stranger Than Fiction 5/23/2021

By: Jennifer Richardson Holt

I am going to try very earnestly to not let this piece disintegrate into something akin to a rant.  What I want to write about is a really very simple topic. Except that it isn’t.  I want to approach an age old concept that has been examined and sought after for, well, I suppose since the beginning of time.  I know, that sounds like a pretty bold idea for the theme of what I like to think is a light hearted, for the most part, blog.  If I’m honest, this topic came to mind a while back but I found it a bit, shall we say, much, and pushed it to the side thinking it wasn’t something I wanted to dig into.  Then, as often happens, this idea started following me around.  I tried to avoid it then I would see a video about it. I ignored it then would read an article touching on it.  Eventually I decided it would be in my best interest to go ahead and broach the subject or else it was a real possibility that I could find myself the victim in a case of ideological stalking. Things were certainly already headed in that direction. Now that I have decided to tackle the task at hand perhaps I can have some peace.  Though now I have to actually say something about a meaningful concept that is well, to be repetitive, meaningful. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit nervous. I really hope whatever fills these next few paragraphs is powerful but not stodgy.  Today I want to talk about the truth. Yes.  I know.  It is as paramount as it is simple.  Hopefully my words about it will fall somewhere in an appropriate level in the middle at the very least.

Fear not.  This isn’t going to be a sermon. It also most assuredly isn’t going to be a political piece. Lord willing I shall not ever subject you to one of those here. This isn’t the time nor place nor do I have the willingness, desire or patience to do that to you since normal everyday life gets enough of that I think.  I simply want to address the concept at hand for what it is.  We all grew up being told that the truth was best. Now yes, I do understand the sketchy bit of teaching of the ever popular “little white lie” is a thing but I daresay that will only get us off on a rabbit trail in the very high and controversial weeds. No need to bring the color and size of lies into this matter for the time being. I’d rather we stay on the main idea that we were all, for the most part, taught that lying wasn’t good. Seems a rather easy concept to grasp.  Most of us got into trouble for lying in our childhood.  The truth was always the best course of action to take. There were sayings about that being just such the case.  If I am not mistaken a large part of the workings of our justice system have been (in theory) based on this idea as well, even with repercussions with the truth isn’t the choice one makes.

Somehow though, as time passes, I think people often try very hard to look exceptionally clever.  I have also noticed that when people (or a large portion of society in this case) try very hard to look exceptionally smart or clever, they end up looking about as opposite as possible.  I suppose there is a reason we call it trying “too” hard at something. Obviously you have gone overboard and in doing so made your argument about as reliable as a wolf at a poker tournament using legs of lamb for poker chips. And yes, that is a rather convoluted analogy but, it painted a picture didn’t it? As I was saying, there seems to be a current movement for people to attempt to redefine truth in some way that I suppose makes them feel excessively clever.  It seems to me that it all just makes for a strong smell of dog at the table as the dealer distributes the cards.

 My objections to this new viewpoint are probably exacerbated by the growing number of years that I have been on this planet. However, I do feel it is founded in the superpower of common sense.  (I call it super because it certainly isn’t common so for those who possess it then you may consider yourself extraordinary.)  It all seems to me, that truth, by its very nature and definition is a very static concept. My jeans are either blue or they aren’t.  Barring for technical annoying arguments as to whether it is actually the light waves reflecting in my eyes to make the think they are blue and other such tomfoolery that those who love to be difficult would spout, they are blue or I am incorrect.  What ever happened to the truth being true? Now in society, it seems truth is excessively subjective and is really only in fact true if it makes everyone happy, comfortable and causes glitter showers to fall from the heavens. See this makes my brain want to explode.  The truth is true.  If it is not true it is not the truth. That is how it works!  The idea that today everyone can have their own truth and they all be true is a tad on the mind boggling side to me since, if everyone’s “truth”, and I used the term in this context VERY loosely, is different, then how pray tell, can they all be true?  It seems to be lost on people that it is somewhat important that truth be actually true.  Today apparently what is called “truth” must be cuddly and riding on the back of a unicorn while factuality is really a non-issue. 

Oh dear, I feel like this has digressed into a rant. I didn’t want it to. Maybe some of you agree with me and have your fist raised as you read shouting affirmations.  Some of you may prefer moonbeams and the dust left by fairy’s wings to the truth and I suppose if that is your preference, so be it.  I like sparkles as much as the next person.  I have to say though, that when it comes to the thick of things, the truth is still best.  When the proverbial rubber meets the road I can’t very much see how a head full of lies, despite how decorative and soft they may be with finery and adornment, will be the better resource to pull from than the powerful, sometimes difficult, but unwavering truth.  I know, I know. Sometimes it hurts. Sometimes it isn’t fun.  But truth is what is real. It is what is steady.  I am the first to admit that I am a lover of fantasy but I can’t build a life upon it.  Even the likes of Tolkien would have wanted to be sure of the factual amount of gas in the plane before he flew.  Truth is what is sure.  Comforting daydreams are wonderful for bedtime tales but in the life we live each day we crave stability and certainty and that is what the truth offers.  Building things on fluffy foundations may look good for rainbow castles but even the clouds clear sometimes.