Lies

Why is it when someone asks, "How are you?" We almost always lie?  We tend to say "fine" or "I'm ok."  When we aren't either.  Why can't we tell the truth and simply say, "Not ok, but I don't want to discuss it." or "Things are rough, but will be ok." or "Fair."

Why do we feel we must lie???  Why do we feel we have to always wear a mask?

A musician friend of mine has a few cd's out.  On one of them, he reads the following poem ... it has always had an effect on me.

We Wear the Mask

We wear the mask that grins and lies, 

It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,— 

This debt we pay to human guile; 

With torn and bleeding hearts we smile, 

And mouth with myriad subtleties.

Why should the world be over-wise, 

In counting all our tears and sighs? 

Nay, let them only see us, while 

We wear the mask.

We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries 

To thee from tortured souls arise. 

We sing, but oh the clay is vile 

Beneath our feet, and long the mile; 

But let the world dream otherwise, 

We wear the mask!

(P. L. Dunbar)