03/07/2025
This week, I encountered issues with a previously reliable provider. My financial institution immediately canceled my transaction and notified me. It was horrified. While not surprising, itโs astonishing how people deceive themselves and others. This wasnโt a simple mistake; there were clear violations affecting other customers before me. I asked questions and was reassured that everything was on the "up and up." Now, there is one less customer - me.
Why the deception?
Self-deception complicates honesty by creating a disconnect between our beliefs and reality. It hampers our ability to respond accurately. Essentially, self-deception is believing something untrue or denying reality to avoid discomfort. It manifests as rationalizing actions, ignoring contradictory evidence, or failing to acknowledge flaws.
When you consistently lie to yourself, you become disconnected from the truth, both internally and externally. You operate from a distorted perspective, making it less likely that you will recognize when something is inaccurate or untrue.