I was listening to the news today when the reporter pointed out, yet another, glaringly obvious hypocritical action by a politician when something occurred to me.
“Nobody who acts hypocritically cares.”
When I was a teenager, I began to notice hypocritical behavior from some religious leaders, parents, politicians, teachers and other adult authorities. I considered it reprehensible and shameful.
As an adult, my opinion has not changed.
What has changed is that people no longer seem ashamed at being a hypocrite. Double speak is common. Condemning someone else for his behavior and then doing the exact same thing no longer makes the perpetrator feel ashamed. On the contrary, they celebrate and promote it publicly. Politicians are the most obvious offenders here. Pundits, media, religious leaders, oligarchs and other public figures follow right behind the politicians.
As I listened to the news reporter complaining about the hypocrisy of the day I realized that hypocrisy is now the norm.
There is no need to point it out.
There is certainly no need to complain about it – or worse – get upset about it.
None of these actions make a bit of difference.
It’s like complaining about getting wet when standing outside in a rainstorm. All the whining in the world won’t keep you dry.
Listening to the news today, It occurred to me that I no longer need to be on alert for hypocrisy. It’s a given.
Instead, I’ll keep my eyes and ears open for integrity, honestly and honorable actions. They still happen, even if they are not given as much attention in the public sphere.