It’s not unusual for young people to put a ‘spin’ on their lives to make them seem a little more interesting, more experienced and generally more impressive to those around them. The act of lying is a common habit for a lot of people especially among teens who have the impression that when they tell lies, they will capture people’s attention, affection and even gain popularity. A friend of mine, I can only identify as John* once shared with me his sad and shameful experience of how his life has become so stressful because he cannot help lying. He said he has trouble telling the truth because lies just, ‘pop out of my mouth unrequested’. Such is the life of a perpetual liar—who cannot help but make up lies about anything. “It’s so frustrating because my friends know I lie. They do not believe anything I say, but brush it off, even when I tell the truth,” John said. “It seems that I can’t last a day without telling at least one lie about my accomplishments or activities in my life. Recently, I even had to spend a whole weekend without leaving my house because I’d told my friends I was going to Paris,” John says. “I lie about attending concerts, owning the latest DVDs, music, relationships... I don’t have a strong relationship, but I’ve made myself out to be a real player and my friends all believe me,” he explains. “I don’t know what to do. I can’t tell them I lied all those months because I’ve gone on for so long. It seems I can’t stop lying. I don’t mean to, I really don’t, but I can’t stop myself. I’m so stressed about it because it seems to be the norm,” a frustrated john says. However, people who are accustomed to lying, only create more problems for themselves. Their credibility is affected because they have to cover up one lie with another. However, not all hope is lost; through trying to believe in yourself, that you are still worth the truth—even when people can see the real you—is a step to recovery. Make a promise to yourself to think twice before you speak. Ask yourself, «Am I telling the truth?» If the answer it ‘No’, then hold what you wanted to say. Try listening instead and you will realize that other people are not as confident as you might think, and they do not have the fascinating lives that they would probably like to have. Dear fellow teens do not be afraid to say “I don’t know” or “I have never done that.” Be yourself and remember that nobody is perfect. If you tell a lie, do not be too hard on yourself; apologize and make up your mind to become a better person the following day. dennistony8@yahoo.com
