Being sincere, what exactly does that mean?
According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, being sincere means, “Saying what you genuinely feel or believe; being honest, frank, and straightforward in your speech and thinking.”
To act otherwise is considered being insincere, dishonest, hypocritical, or deceptive. If we truly have love within our hearts for one another, then why is being sincere in today’s society such a challenging task?
The answer lies in the little “white lies” and bigger lies that are being told everyday, either to cover up mistakes, avoid embarrassments, gain financial wealth or material things, conquer a new love interest, or even being considerate, and not trying to hurt someone’s feelings. Whatever the case may be, the reasons for being insincere are endless.
But exactly how far can “not expressing your genuine feelings” take you? And are we obligated to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth, only in court?
There is a lyrical verse on “Black Boys On Mopeds,” a song on Sinead O’ Connor’s Grammy Award winning album, “I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got,” which reads: “These are dangerous days. To say what you feel is to dig your own grave." O’Connor’s verse, meant as a warning sign, was recorded in the 1990s, and still holds weight today.
No one wants to be disliked, so people have learned to polish their responses with a heavy sugar coating of insincerity; maybe to make someone else feel better, which is understandable, but oftentimes people are insincere because they want to look impressive, good, and admirable to others. In either case, for better or worse, being insincere doesn’t come from the heart, and can do more damage than it does good.
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