Remember that time when I did that thing...?

This was a rather awkward interview between my mother and I...

You see, back in the summer between Freshman and Sophomore year I told the biggest lie of my young, naive life. Well actually it was a series of lies. One lie led to another, and another, it was a snowball effect of lies.

I had to relive this dreadful time of my life with my mom (I decided to leave my Dad out of the conversation to save myself from his conceited and excruciatingly irritating comments) ... And here is how it went down.

"So Mom, do you remember when you took my entire summer away in between my Freshman and Sophomore year?"

               *Laughing* "Yes, Why?"

"Well I want to ask you a few questions about it... How did you know I was lying?"

                "If you're still trying to figure out who ratted you out, I already told you I'm not telling you until                         your 30."

"(Insert explicit), fine. Okay then, what was your immediate reaction when you found out I was lying?"

                "The first thought that went through my head was whether or not I was going to tell your father or                     not. I new it was going to get real ugly real fast if I did, but I knew I couldn't keep it from him. I                     almost felt bad for you.
"Almost?"

                 "You deserved whatever was coming your way."

"You honestly believe that?"
                 
                 "Well it worked didn't it? We haven't had any problems with you since that happened."

"How did that scenario change your view of me?"

                  "I don't know think it's fair to say it changed my view of you. the violation of trust was definitely                       the part that was hardest to deal with. For me, it was like we had to start completely from                             scratch, and I was constantly questioning myself on whether I  was making the right decisions                         as a parent. That was the most irritating part about the whole situation. I was more pissed off                         at the fact that you put me in that position."

"... Did I ever apologize?"

                  "No."

"Sorry"

                  "Too little, too late."

"Figured. Okay last question. How much difference would it have made If I had just come clean?"

                   "Hmmmmm... Probably not very much as far as punishment goes. Telling the truth wouldn't                             have made what you did any better. But it definitely would have helped me forgive you quicker,                     and I'm sure your father would have respected you a whole lot more if you told him the truth,                         instead of him finding out through me.

The lesson I learned from this conversation. I need to get better at covering my tracks when I lie.

No not really (sort of), but obviously there is a big risk that you take when you try and hide a big lie. And honestly, there's usually a very slim chance that your secret will never get leaked.

It's much easier for me to give this advice than it is to actually take it for myself, but 9 times out of 10, things will turn out better for you're honest with others. Although people forget it most of he time, we're humans, we make mistakes. Being able to own your mistakes, accept them, and admit them to others will get you a hell of a lot further in life than trying to lie your way through or playing the blame game to try and cover your tracks.

Try it. Your self respect will sky rocket. Try it.






“It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one.” 
― George Washington