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| Image Courtesy: Raj Manchekar |
In your book, La Niña, S is for Salt. I remember one time, La Niña, when you sulked over my refusal to give you something that you had set your heart on and you declared somewhat combatively, "You don't love me, I know. You love me as little as the salt we put in our food." At that time, I pulled you into my arms and kissed you and tried to convince you that I loved you very much, more than you could imagine.
It was only much later that I realised what a great truth you had spoken unwittingly, and how it is so intimately tied to my S word, Sincerity.
When you're old enough, mis hijos, you'll see that the world is quick to pay lip service. There is no dearth of false emotions. The counterfeit moves hands faster and is accepted more often as legal tender. Whereas, Sincerity, whose notes you will recognise for their torn and soiled nature, are looked upon with suspicion and despised.
In spite of the large-scale incentive to be insincere, I would advise you not to succumb to the temptation to be hypocritical.
A little salt, just perfect, enhances the flavour of the meal. Anything less could take away from that flavour. Anything more could ruin the meal, and your health, in the long run.
Similarly, sincerity is perfect in small doses. Too much begins to smell like artifice. Too little leaves the appetite hungry.
Far too often people wear masks on their faces. We go through life, never realising what some people actually look like. Don't go through life wearing a mask. Strip it off and throw it away. Let honesty be a boon companion to your sincerity.
Mis hijos, make sure you mean what you say. So people can trust you. On the other hand, you don't always have to say everything you mean. A little discretion helps further the cause of sincerity.
My wish for you is that you may be able to distinguish between true sincerity and pretence. That your life, relationships, friendships, work and interests, may be shorn of any fake emotion.
That's it for today.
I'm baking some muffins. How about a T party tomorrow?
A very apt lesson for me Cynthia...I am so liberal with praise, that often than not, people think I am flattering them. It took me a good few years on the earth to understand that there are indeed people who praise you to your face and ridicule you once you turn your back. Moderation, I think is the name of the game - almost in every walk of life, But I often find it difficult to dose my appreciation :( - On a different note, I am quiet baffled that a child could use the analogy of 'loving as little as salt' - I think, it is good pedigree through and through!
ReplyDeleteYou are such a talented writer! I will be back for Tea tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteConnie
A to Z-ing to the end
Peanut Butter and Whine
This is a very valuable lesson here, something I had been talking about a few days ago with my daughter. No doubt sincerity in moderation is absolutely effective.
ReplyDeletewill be eager to attend the T party tomorrow! :)
Even the show of sincerity should be sincere eh? :)
ReplyDeletePhenoMenon
http://capturedalive.wordpress.com/2013/04/22/stop/
you have been writing quite sincerely on all these a2z posts ! :) I admire your skills :D
ReplyDeleteSalt makes even sweet taste better. :) Such a beautiful advise.
ReplyDeletepretense is so common these days .. its difficult to understand who is really sincere and who is not !
ReplyDeleteThats such a bful analogy between salt and sincerity !
ReplyDeletehow do u get these ideas Cynthia ?!
Moderately use it like salt . Dont over do . Dont under do
How aptly U Told !
I will definitely come for tea with You tomo
I'm amazed at your analogies. Another super lesson.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice Cynthia, a little bit goes a long way. :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful lesson today.. they say, a little sincerity is a dangerous thing, and a great deal of it is absolutely fatal!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right Cynthia ...an overdose of sincerity sounds jarring to the ears so much so that you begin doubting the truth of the voice . Sometimes a bit of restraint is necessary and of course you just need to discard that mask of yours ...and what did you say muffins ?? T-party ? Consider a guest at your place :)
ReplyDeleteLike Laksmi mentioned your little one using the analogy of salt is mind blowing! Genes showing up already, eh? The value of salt is never felt as much as when it's not there at all!
ReplyDeleteEven a pinch of salt makes a difference. I so love your posts.
ReplyDeletelovely; sincerity in the right dose just like salt is indeed a revelation.... looking forward to the T party cynthia
ReplyDeleteSincerity is perfect in small doses is so true. As creative as ever :)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely loved the analogy .Wonderfully put ..
ReplyDeleteCount me in for your T party :)
Wonderful post and analogy between salt and sincerity!
ReplyDeleteA month of Blog...
Wow!! That was such an amazing observation by your little one! How did he know?!
ReplyDeletePerfect in small doses. True. Very inspiring post :)
ReplyDeleteI like sincerity and I like more salt than is good for me.
ReplyDeleteLee
An A to Z Co-Host
Tossing It Out
Sincerity is often mistaken for pretence. I find that sad.
ReplyDeleteThis is such an important lesson. I can't stand being around fake people.
ReplyDelete#atozchallenge, Kristen's blog: kristenhead.blogspot.com
I am amazed by your girl who thought of saying "love me as little as salt"! Astute observation. About food, that is!
ReplyDeleteAs for sincerity, I am profuse in my sincerity and am learning to curb it now for I understand (finally) that brevity is the soul of life itself, not merely wit!
I am amazed by your girl who thought of saying "love me as little as salt"! Astute observation. About food, that is!
ReplyDeleteAs for sincerity, I am profuse in my sincerity and am learning to curb it now for I understand (finally) that brevity is the soul of life itself, not merely wit!