Sincerity, Sorrow, and Balloons

There are very few times when speaking to someone that I feel their interest in our conversation is truly sincere. Do you ever feel that way? How often it seems that they are only listening out of politeness, waiting patiently until we have finished our tale so that they may relate similarly or change the topic entirely to something that better features their experiences or interest. In contrast to that, it’s easy ourselves, to forget to feel and express sincerity. There are many of us that tire of listening to trivial tales or data about people’s day to day lives that seem to have no real meaning for us, or impact on life as a whole. We can all admit to our own eyes glazing over or our minds wandering in such instances. So, how do we overcome these flaws? How do we become truly sincere? How can we find interest or concern in the seemingly mundane?

Simple Sincerity
Let’s take things down to a much simpler perspective, that of a child’s. Kids find concern in the smallest of things. For example, the other day my children stumbled upon a colony of ants. Upon looking at the ants, I explained that they were moving their eggs to a safer location (as my children had disturbed their nest). It wasn’t long afterward when I realized my kind hearted five year old daughter had retreated to her bedroom, where she was quietly sitting on her bed, crying. This was not an unusual occasion. My daughter is often crying over small worries. And so, rather than feeling her sorrow, I was slightly exasperated that she was crying . . . yet again. Still, I asked her why she was crying. It seemed that she had done an awful thing, and felt horrible about it. She had squished one of the ant eggs, killing a baby ant. She was worried about what the parents would think, how sad they would be, and so forth. Of course my heart softened towards her sweetness, but in the grand scheme of things one little ant egg did not seem very significant. I comforted her, and she was soon able to resume play.

This puts to mind a great sketch by a comedian on an episode of Last Comic Standing. I’ll paraphrase to my best ability (as I can’t seem to find the video on youtube):

“So, my kid and I were at the park the other day . . . . my kid, happy as can be, pulling a balloon behind him. It wasn’t long ‘til he got distracted and let his grip slip, losing hold of the string yelling, ‘My balloon! My balloon! Wah-ha-ha!’ He continued crying hysterically for like ten minutes. Seriously, what’s the big deal? We can get another balloon. But then I thought . . . what if I had lost my balloon? Or something just as important say, my wallet? What if my wallet were to float off into the sky, never to return again? ‘My wallet! My wallet! Wah-ha-ha!’”

Eternal Perspective
That’s all we need, a little perspective. Let’s push our examples a little further. Let’s push it from child to father . . . in this case, eternal father. Whether or not you believe in God or a Supreme Being, stick with me here – because I think that giving latitude for such a concept will help to drive this point home. Given that God and Jesus Christ are seen as beings that understand all that we as mortals experience here on this earth, they understand our joys, sorrows, pains, and worries. They understand our perspectives intimately as they have experienced and suffered all that we have. Going from there, I’m sure with their eternal perspective that they also see the triviality in our worries, day to day interests and struggles. In the grand scheme of things – the things we over analyze, talk of, and worry about are minute. And yet, never in the biblical accounts of Jesus Christ’s ministry, is it written that he made light of the people’s concerns.

The Secret to Genuine Sincerity
When the disciples were crying about their “lost balloons,” the Savior didn’t laugh, roll his eyes, or sigh in exasperation; he heard them with earnest sincerity – why? Because he had charity towards them, he loved them. The solution to sincerity is simple; we need to love one another with a pure heart! Stephen E. Robinson referred to this as the “Prime Directive,” referencing scripture:

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:12-13)

Robinson continues, “This is not emotional fluff. This is not pie in the sky wishful thinking, or idealistic gas. Love is not some subsidiary principle that allows the weepy among us to go off on a crying jag. [. . .] It is not an option that may be ignored by those who would prefer not to clutter their lives with other peoples’ problems.”

Stephen E. Robinson, Following Christ (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1995) 136,137

We can’t ignore the importance of sincerity - finding love and compassion in our hearts for our neighbors – it’s a commandment, an eternal law, a source for peace and happiness in our lives. We need to have greater heart and a willingness to open our perspectives to understanding the lives of others. Sure, not everything that passes your ears is important or meaningful, but the person who is sharing it is. Even if you can’t find any interest in listening to another’s tales, you can find an interest in them – by loving them and remembering the value that they as a person, a child of God, hold. So, on behalf of Stephen E. Robinson, may I say, “Bring on the clutter, bring on the love!”

Discussion: Do you think sincerity is important in relationships, why? How can you tell when someone is being truly sincere?

Written By: Marzee Dyer
Photo By: incendiarymind

27 years of age, Marzee has never been much farther than the green puddles of the Northwest (Oregon & Washington, USA). She has been happily married to Jon for seven years, is a stay at home mother of three, college student, and youth mentor. She is the founder of WomenAfire. Hobbies: Singing at church, dancing with her kids, hangin' with her husband, fitness, teaching, reading (Stephenie Meyer) & writing.