S is for . . . Sincerity

Image Courtesy: Raj Manchekar

Ah, my darlings, how these pages have missed you.

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?