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Lying Is Harmful …
Especially When You Lie to Yourself
My mother used to say a mistake was worth making if you learned from it, and I try to remember this when I make mistakes. The Angels also say to always look for the lessons to be learned, especially during hardships. This is all good advice, but it doesn’t mean it’s easy to follow. I value honesty and try to stay honest in all things. I’m not completely successful, but I try my best, and I do a pretty good job.
In many ways, my first marriage was a mistake. I could never wish it had never happened, because I was blessed with two great kids during that time, but after my divorce, I made it a point to honestly review those ten years and find the lessons to be learned. The biggest lesson was that it was never a good idea to lie to myself.
For years, I lied to myself, telling, no, convincing myself that everything would be okay, that things would work out, and those were lies I used in order to give me false hope when, really, I knew I was in trouble within the first month of marriage. Because I believed my own lies, it took me a decade to accept the truth and face my problems, so I could try to find a solution. Divorce is difficult for everyone involved, but sometimes, it’s unavoidable. My first marriage is a case in point.