Getting It Straight

Every time we pass some tidbit of information on, we either add credibility to the story or detract it from ourselves.

I wonder how much of our e-mail would be eliminated if more people checked their facts before forwarding rumors. One of the best  ways of checking on indignities, hard-luck stories, and outrageous claims is Snopes.com . It is one of the best sources I know for the straight skinny on urban legends.

It turns out that some things really are true - like the death caused by playing Chubby Bunny.  I've played it and lost. There was a nurse present in case of an emergency - but she was playing too -- and beat me hands down.

I guess anything can be dangerous.

In this case, while not rejecting the game outright, I am prompted to be a little more cautious. This is useful information.

We toured Calgary today - the Walmart and the Mall most noteably.

After wondering a bit if we were being bad stewards of time and resources by not actually "working" most of the day, I realized in tonight's rehearsal that we had been doing team-building all day long.

But there was truth - I really did have that insight upon reflection on the day.

I could tell you that we did this intentionally, but that would not be true.

Yahoo News reports that Japan now has 28,395 people aged 100 and over. More on that later.

Mark Sanborn excerpts and summarizes material from his new book in John Maxwell's Leadership Wired. The article is: You Don't Need a Title to Be a Leader. One of the major points that Sanborn makes is driven home frequently by Maxwell, that leadership is inflence. You can subscribe to the newsletter at InJoy's website.

Come to think of it, every time I forward an e-mail or post a blog entry, I am spending influence capital. I do the same when I promote something verbally or in writin. If it does not bear some sort of fruit for someone, it is not only wasted, but ignored in the future. Not only that, I am more likely to be ignore, marginalized, and held in suspicion. However, if I offer something of content and truth, influence will grow even if what I am "peddling" at the moment is rejected.

So always try to tell the truth and be edifying - even about seemingly inconsequential matters.

Tall tales with a point provide an exception to that rule - but they must be identified as such at some point.

I'd like to draw some conclusion about why those 28,395 people are still living past their 100th birth days, but , at this point, I'd be guessing. I could tell you that it was good nutrition (and I suspect that is part of it) and try to sell you some product on that basis, but I need to get my facts straight.

Don't site sources that (a) don't exist or (b) you don't know to exist with reasonable certainty c) you think might be dubious. You will not be perfect in this endeavor, but people will appreciate that you are trying.

If you cannot find enough true things to say about what you are selling without resorting to speculation, fabrication, or exaggeration then, get more education or get another business.

In sharing your faith, the truth is all you need. Don't oversell the gospel anymore than you would oversell soap. Let it stand on its merits. They are enough.

We need to get things straight in so many areas of life - theologically, biblically, entrepreneurially, and politically. What might change in the flavor of society if everyone just tried a little harder to be accurate?

Tell the truth.