On Words and Onwards.
This article is part of Finding the Words, a newsletter that delivers practical insights on the day’s issues.
Mitch Albom has a way with words.
As the author of some of the most beloved and bestselling books of our time, his tales about love, life, and faith help us see better versions of ourselves and our shared humanity. Albom is brilliant at telling stories that let us get lost in words only to find deeper meaning at the end of each story he writes.
I've turned to Mitch many times over the years, and I recently turned to him again. His newest book, The Little Liar, tells the story of a little Greek boy who never lied—until he did—and how the enormity of that lie shaped the rest of his life—and the lives of those around him.
The story is a relevant one for today. It explores what we say and the cascading impact words can have—whether they're said by a parent, co-worker, or a President.
Blaming a plane crash on DEI.
Blaming the country's failures on humanitarian aid.
Blaming a governor for a wildfire.
Blaming violence on immigrants.
What—and who—can we trust when words are delivered without meaning?
Some of Mitch's most recent weekly columns help connect the dots between some of these recent words and related actions. It's a noble cause, particularly coming from one of the few people beloved around the world.
As Mitch reminds us in his latest column, words have meaning, and words shape collective understanding. When we use words loosely, there are consequences, which brings me back to "The Little Liar."
Described as his most important novel yet, it's about a child who is tricked by the Nazis into reassuring Jewish families that it was safe to get on trains headed to Auschwitz and the lifelong repercussions that play out for four people because of that lie.
Here's what Mitch said in an interview leading up to the book's publication:
"I had no idea when I started this book what would be going on in the world…But I did think when I wrote it that it was a pertinent book for our time…because of how we are currently treating the truth. How it seems like people are just sort of adopting their own truth and saying, "That's it; I don't want to hear anyone else's perspective. I've got support from other people who believe what I believe, and that makes it the truth."
And isn't that the truth?
Regardless of what you believe, where you live, and what you do, you will likely agree that these are tumultuous times in America.
What to trust? Who to follow? And what will come from this?
Mitch has a thought on that, too:
"We know how it feels when we tell the truth and how it feels different when we tell a lie, even if we tell little lies. At this time in our history, we need to understand that the little lies lead to bigger lies, and big lies lead to really big lies. And that the world is in the balance with the way we are going to acknowledge truth in our lives. Our futures, our kids' futures, hang in the balance on that question."
So, my friends, keep searching for—no, demanding—the truth. When you find it, share it. And as Mitch teaches us in this latest novel, there's nothing more powerful than when we let truth be our guide.
Join me for a special live conversation with Mitch Albom on Saturday, March 15 in Gaithersburg, MD. I'll sit back down with him to explore issues of truth, love, and trust. The event is free, and I'd be delighted to have you join us.
This post is part of the Finding The Words column, a series published every Wednesday that delivers a dose of communication insights direct to your inbox. If you like what you read, we hope you’ll subscribe to ensure you receive this each week.
