The Imperative for 2017

There is one thing that we must do in 2017.

Tell and embrace the truth.

Fake news, sensationalistic headlines, reality TV faux drama. . .and our willingness to embrace that which isn't true simply because it's convenient is fatalistic.

We need to be clear that what we read on Facebook (Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat) cannot be trusted as the truth.    We must come to the realization that the headlines from the National Enquirer, The Globe and whatever national tabloid is at your market checkstand are designed to make you buy product;   they in no way accurately inform.   We need to check and doublecheck what national figures (be they celebrities or politicians) claim to be true.

We can no longer make excuses "Oh, that's just the way he is. . ."  "Oh, it's just an analogy, they don't really mean it."

We need to discern which of the media is going to be the most accurate (hint:   it's not that at the extreme left or right).    Much of the media, despite deriding from national politicians who selfishly want us to believe them vs. an unbiased reporting, is dedicated to telling the truth.

And here's the kicker. . .we need to embrace the truth even if it is inconvenient to what we would choose to believe.  The truly debilitating thing about this past year is how many people chose to believe that which wasn't true. . .simply because it fit (ironically, yet conveniently) into their belief system.   Let's be clear, if you choose to believe the falsehoods that someone perpetrates simply because you believe that person overall fits into your belief system. . .you have betrayed both yourself and your values.

This transcends into our family life, our work life and our national prosperity.

The truth will set you free?  That is, indeed, fact and should be embraced.

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My book "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" is available on Amazon Kindle.