Dear @chekohler

I' first one to check out your post and drop a comment. What actually means "J's" ? You welcome us this way and I was wondering ...

We've been told that lies are bad and we should always strive to tell the truth,

We indeed we told so many times over and over that lies are bad. Simply because being truthful makes it easier for those who are raising us. So they expect nothing but truth.

but how can we give ourselves permision to lie if we value the truth?

Do we actually value the truth? The answer is NO! People really don't value the truth. As a matter of fact majority of people prefer to be fed lies. Truth is just brutal and painful more often than not.

Sadly in real life being honest and truthful is not paying back (most of the time). People do not want to hear truth. Demand for lies (as long as those lies goes along with our narratives) is overwhelming.

I'm sure many of us heard already about so called "white lies". I did and I use them every now and then. My only two concerns when I need to lie is:

• will I harm anyone?
• will I remember my own little lie?

But then I already met many people, who do not care if their words (truthful or lies) do hurt others and surely they do not care to remember their own lies. And that's just a bit ... hardcore. And it does seem to work fine for many people out there.

Great piece of work buddy. Hope you don't mind that I will share it with few friends.
Yours, Piotr