Truth.  I feel very, *VERY* strongly about this.

I pride myself on being a scrupulously honest person - to the point of
sometimes baring all my faults for the world to see (reference putting all
my "fat" pictures on the net and talking frankly about my gastric bypass
surgery, etc.).  I won't even accept a box of candy from a vendor at the
office at Christmas.

Why?  Simply this.

*Every* other "asset" in your life can be taken away in the blink of an eye
by man or by fate.  You can lose your money, lose your loved ones or
friends, age or accident can take away even your looks.

But your honesty, integrity, and character can never, *EVER* be taken from
you without your compliance.  It is the one thing you build in your life
that only *you* can tear down.  And all it takes in one instance of
dishonesty to destroy what you may have spent a lifetime creating.

Witness what just happened.  People are now wondering, "Was Pheniox really
abused and gallantly rescued by Holly?", "Did Holly really have past battles
with cancer?", "Does 'James' even exist?"  Holly may have been perfectly
truthful in everything else she ever told us - brave, selfless, generous
acts that are now called into question because of a lie about something
else.

After this note, I'm going to drop the subject and try to forget it and get
on with my life.  But the reason I'm worrying this issue now is that I, who
feels so strongly about being honest, was drawn into this lie and by my own
ignorance lied to others, however unknowingly, and it rankles!

Hugs,

CatNipped