Probably
stepping into politics so if you don’t want to read any further, don’t. Up to
you, but here I go . . .
When I was
growing up, there were absolutes in our family. Probably yours, too.
If we were told
to do something . . . make a bed, do the dishes, dust, vacuum, mow the yard,
rake leaves, we did it. We might procrastinate but innately, we knew the length
of time we could drag our feet before we got into hot water. And, we learned
that quickly and at a rather young age.
Stealing, no
way, never! Disrespect, forget it. Church on Sundays, nine-fifteen mass and we
sat towards the front on the left- all of us. Grace before meals, and you had
better not eat a bite before it was done. You had also better mind your manners
with the appropriate “please” and “thank you” added in.
Truth!
If we did
something wrong at school, my parents knew about before we ever got home. There
were times I believed they knew about it even before it ever happened. That
parent-nun-priest network thingy ran better than Ma Bell or NASA. There was no
opportunity to “fabricate a story” because they knew! Don’t waste your breath.
They ask, you told them and faced whatever consequences were provided.
Funny thing back
then.
There was no
point in blaming anyone. The fault, as we learned and understood it, was our
own. Our choice manufactured the appropriate consequence. Simple as that.
Interesting how
things changed.
In today’s
world, kids do something wrong, “It’s his fault!” A fist finds a nose and
bloodies it, “I was just defending myself!” A parent is notified of an untoward
event and declares, “Not my daughter!” despite evidence on camera.
And lately, our
highest office and those around that office use the term, “Alternate facts!”
Excuse my
language, but what the hell?
Facts are facts.
Truth is Truth. And lies are lies, no matter how you color them or how you
restate them. The absence of Truth is a Lie. Plain and simple.
At what point
will we get back to Truth? At what point will we take ownership and responsibility
for our own actions and our own words? At what point will we call it like it
is- a lie?
Folks, I don’t
care who is doing the telling. It doesn’t matter to me if you hold a title or
don’t. It doesn’t matter if you have tons of money or are dirt poor. It doesn’t
matter if you hold an office or work in a field. It doesn’t matter if you are a
professional athlete or can’t walk through a doorway without running into the
wall first.
Truth is the Truth.
A lie is a lie. There are no “alternate facts!” If it isn’t the Truth, it’s a
lie. Simple as that.
Quit blaming
everyone else for your screw up! You make the mistake, fess up to it. You make
the mess, clean it up. Hold yourself accountable first and foremost and then
and only then . . . perhaps . . . worry about someone else. Something to think
about . . . and please do!
Live Your Life,
and Make A Difference!
For My Readers:
Please feel free
to connect with me at:
Twitter
at @jrlewisauthor
Facebook
at: https://www.facebook.com/Joseph.Lewis.Author
If you like Thriller/Mystery fiction, check out
what other readers have said about my novels.
Stolen Lives, Book One of the Lives Trilogy
“Joseph Lewis
has created a cast of characters that you grow to care about. Their story is
filled with twists and turns that keep you reading. When the book ends you will
be left anticipating the next one! This was a story I could not put down!” “I am really glad I happened to see this
Trilogy while looking through my Kindle unlimited series. Great strong
characters, especially George and Brett. Looking forward to reading more from
this author. Started Taking Lives
and immediately turned the pages to get to Stolen
Lives.”
Two thirteen
year old boys are abducted off a safe suburban street. Kelliher and his team of
FBI agents have 24 hours to find them or they’ll end up like all the others-
dead! They have no leads, no clues, and nothing to go on. And the possibility
exists that one of his team members might be involved. http://bit.ly/Stolen-Lives-JLewis
Shattered Lives, Book Two of the Lives Trilogy
“I couldn’t put
it down, a really good book!” “Great book! I can't wait for next one!” “This
book is excellent. The whole series is definitely worth your time.” “Expertly
written. I ended up buying all the books in the series and am waiting eagerly
for the final installment Splintered
Lives."
Six men escaped
and are out for revenge. The boys, recently freed from captivity, are in danger
and so are their families, but they don’t know it. The FBI has no clues, no leads,
and nothing to go on and because of that, cannot protect them. http://bit.ly/Shattered-Lives-J-Lewis
Splintered Lives, Book Three of the Lives Trilogy
“Engaging
characters you care about. A story that is fast-paced and holds your attention
to the point you cannot put it down. Great finish to a great series.”
A 14 year old
boy has a price on his head, but he and his family don’t know it. Their family
vacation turns into a trip to hell. Out gunned and outnumbered, can this boy
protect his father and brothers? Without knowing who these men are? Or how many
there are? Or when they might come for him? http://bit.ly/Splintered-Lives-J-Lewis
Taking Lives, Prequel to the Lives Trilogy – only
.99 cents on Amazon
“Great book by
Joseph Lewis. Many twists and turns. Fasted paced.” “Couldn’t put the book down.” “Great story can't wait to read the next
one!” “Great book! I really enjoyed it. Good author!” “Each character is
developed thoroughly, igniting the reader's interest and stirring emotions. The
frustration of the detective flows to the reader. The young boys are
endearing.”
FBI Agent Pete
Kelliher and his partner search for the clues behind the bodies of six boys
left in various and remote parts of the country. Even though they don’t know
one another, the lives of FBI Kelliher, 11 year old Brett McGovern, and 11 year
old George Tokay are separate pieces of a puzzle. The two boys become
interwoven with the same thread that Pete Kelliher holds in his hand. The three
of them are on a collision course and when that happens, their lives are in
jeopardy as each search for a way out. http://bit.ly/Taking-Lives-JLewis