To tell the truth....

Several years ago I participated in a team building exercise in which I had to list 3 facts about myself, with 2 being true and 1 being untrue.  I struggled with this because I wanted to be successful (classic overachiever that I am) and I wasn't sure what "untruth" I could tell that would be believable.  Here's an example of three facts about me -- can you tell which one is not factually correct?

1. I was an exchange student in Denmark during high school
2. I have scrap books for both of my children for each year of their lives
3. I played volleyball in high school

So, for those people who've known me forever -- they know that #s 1 and 3 are accurate -- I really was an exchange student in Denmark the summer between my junior and senior years of high school and I really did play volleyball in high school (and college).  Both of those are certainly subjects for future posts I imagine.

But back to the scrap booking -- I chose that because when I was at work, the predominant off work topic for me was my children.  I also figured the concept of me playing volleyball would throw people (considering I did not have the body of a volleyball player at the time -- and I still don't :))  And you know what -- the other team members were able to easily identify which "fact" was untrue.  One member said "You work too much for that to be true."  

WOW -- what an eye opener for me -- I worked too much to spend time memorializing my children and their lives.  I don't know if that's sad or not, but certainly was a telling fact at the time.  More importantly, I wasn't able to effectively lie -- and this for me, is the bigger and more telling truth.  I grew up in a home where truth was paramount -- but certain things weren't talked about.  And while there are no great secrets from my childhood -- it was just understood that certain uncomfortable or difficult topics weren't openly discussed.  It always made me hate the idea of secrets and I've also been compelled to tell the truth.  

Now, I'm not trying to say I have never lied or never told a little white lie -- I do have compassion (much to the surprise of some) but I am compelled to be as honest as possible when people ask me questions.  That's also not to say that I can't keep secrets -- because other people's stories are theirs to tell, not mine -- and I do hold that sacred.  

The irony is now that I'm not working, I have taken up scrap booking.  Okay -- to be honest -- I've bought scrap booking items and have started one, but have only worked on it once when I went to a Ladies Craft Night at church last month.  Tonight is the next one and I am looking forward to attacking that scrap book again.  And for those wondering -- no, the subject of the scrap book is not my children :)