The truth, if it be known, is more precious than any precious metal... more valuable than any gemstone. Greater in value than the world's riches combined, it removes misconception and liberates the mind. Sometimes the truth hurts. Perhaps that is why it is sometimes distorted into less painful lies. Some lies are excused as harmless and white. To describe lies as such never makes them alright. Deception equals betrayal. Betrayal erodes trust. We all desire intimacy, for which truth is a must. Since the beginning of time it has been our shared quest. The search for the truth is but a self test --a test to help us determine whether we are being true to our selves or a false self we're seeing. There is no pass or fail for only we know our results. Those who are afraid to take the test usually end up in cults. The truth is within us-- it's been there all along. It leads us to desire justice for all and to know right from wrong. We can choose to hear or ignore it--our wills are still free. The truth simply is and that's all it needs be. Jerry Staton Copyright ©2006 Jerry Staton