"There is not much truth being told in the world," says Anne Lamont

I was in Barnes and Noble this afternoon and low and behold there were a couple of Anne Lamont books marked down from $24.95 to $5.98. Now, I had looked at her books before and decided not to buy them, but for $5.98? Can't get a #4 at McDonald's for that and I don't need the calories so I bought them.

I sat down in one of those overstuffed chairs that Barnes and Nobles provides for its fat asses like me, and I started to read. I was delighted and thought that some of her stuff is worth quoting and commenting on, on this blog. So, I am starting a new category today tagged "Anne Lamont". Here is the first quote from Grace (Eventually): Toughts on Faith:

"There is not much truth being told in the world. There never was. This has proven to be a major disappointment to some of us." p.1

These are the first three sentences in the book. It was love at first sight.

I have seen, heard, and had to deal with enough bull shit to last a lifetime. I'm 63. I'm ready to die. I don't know how much more I can take. I'm not suicidal just tired of the stupidity and nonsense. Nobody tells the truth any more. Very rarely, and when it is told, it is a precious gift.

Who do you know that tells the truth? How often do you tell it? See what I mean? Very rare experience.

When I am working with couples I ask them to rate the honesty in their relationship. How much honesty has been present in your relationship in the last month on a scale of 0 - 10 with 10 being completely honest and 0 being no honesty at all and 5 being honesty being present half the time?

I don't find people being very honest with me most of the time except in my psychotherapy practice where I find that my clients are honest most of the time once they trust the confidentiality and nonjudgmental atmosphere of our relationship.

Outside of that bull shit is supreme and as Anne says it is a major disappointment. The truth is that most people can't handle the truth and don't want it. Things seem to go better when we lie to one another.

"Honey, do I look fat in this?"

"The WMDs must be around here somewhere."

"I am saved, but you are going to hell unless you believe what I believe."

"No, I don't find that person attractive dear."

"The check is in the mail."

"I'll still love you in the morning."

"I'm here to help you."

This is article #1 in a series on Anne Lamont