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Sincerity



I have read it proposed that the word “sincere” is derived from the Latin sine (without) and cera (wax), giving it the literal interpretation “without wax.” This comes from a time when unscrupulous sculptors would use wax to cover up imperfections and conceal damage on sculptures before selling them. The buyer would walk away with a product that looked intact, but when exposed to a heat source or even placed in the sun, the wax would melt, and all the flaws would be exposed.

We live in a world with a lot of wax. We hide our flaws and conceal our weaknesses. We can put our best foot forward on social media with doctored photos and fake smiles, appearing as if we have it all figured out, but for many of us, it’s all a façade. Then the heat comes, the wax melts away and all the cracks, divots, and chips are there for the world to see.

We must learn to live sincerely. We must let people know what they are getting, flaws and all, when we are in their lives. After all, our chips and cracks can’t be repaired when they are covered in wax.  

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