Drunk Vikings, Blogs, and the Pursuit of True Words

 I collect facts.   It has been my practice to gather as many facts as possible around me.   As a young fella who only had dial-up internet at the time meant that most of the facts came from books—the "Uncle John's Bathroom Reader" book series.   The books did contain stories and articles about history, but what they were known for was thousands of facts just piled in a book without context.   Pages of "did you know that..." followed by a bit of information that I would memorize but could never guarantee that I would even use.   I know it said "bathroom reader," but I would cheat and read it in bed before going to sleep.

One fact in particular that lives rent-free in my head has to do with the style of government in Iceland, circa the dark ages - medieval era, and it went something like this.   Did you know that the ruling council in Iceland would have two meetings to discuss significant issues, once while they were all drunk and after they sobered up?  

There you go—this magnificent fact is my gift of knowledge to you today.   I've carried it for years, and now you can too. 

Which counsel?   I don't know.   What type of issues?   I don't know.   How often?   I don't know.   Do they still do this today?   Probably not. 

It's a fantastic fact because it has the right amount of information to understand but not enough to dispel the mystery.   Why two times and why drunk? 

Let's pull this thread and see where it goes.   What if you had two small-group meetings once drunk and again but sober?   What about a school board meeting, book club, a stockholders meeting, a counseling appointment, or even a presidential debate!   Two sessions, same plan, different levels of drunkenness.   To be clear.   We're in really strange, unethical, and risky behavior in some of these scenarios, but the thought is interesting, right?

Now, I can see what our Icelandic friends were trying to achieve with what they had available.   They were trying to communicate without barriers.   Hey, fellow Viking Chiefs and Jarls, we've got a lot of important things to discuss, so let's drink and talk it out while Sigurd will be our Designated Scriber and write it all down; then tomorrow, we're going to talk about it all again after a good breakfast, and we'll compare notes.  

It's brilliant in concept, but it leads us to ask when we are most true with our words?   When are we saying the good stuff, and when are we being polite?   When are we straight shooters, and are we verbally trampling others down?   When are we most free to speak, and when do we self edit?  

Also, I feel like it's important to say that I do not believe words spoken while drunk equal "true words."   Your brain has a checklist-before-launch system to keep you from launching verbal rockets before you're ready; alcohol shortcuts that system.   The result can be honest, even hilarious, but it's also harsh, cringing, sad, hurtful, incoherent, regretful, and anything but true words.   

  

The Vikings are not alone in trying to achieve an environment where true words can be spoken.   The Confessional comes to my mind.   A booth isolated from others with a veil between the two people.   So that whatever a person has to say, they can say it without eye contact and under the assumption of confidentiality.   It's easier to speak true words when you are under the impression that you're alone.   Today, blogging is a fantastic example of where true words can be written and published, yet there is enough digital distance to protect from harm.   I mean, do you wonder why earlier generations weren't talking about trauma, mental health, and flat-earth like we are today?   Blogging has had a significant influence on our conversations these days.   Thousands if not millions of personal stories and experiences are made available to read, and as we read, everyone everywhere whispered to themselves, " I am not the only one." 

Here is another amazing fact.   Did you know that shame is the only core emotion we do not possess at birth?   We learn it through our interaction with others as we grow. 

Community is built within this tension, the exchange of true words, and the avoidance of shame.   Our wiring is to pursue relationships, and our experience tells us to be cautious.  

To confess to one another means to speak the same language. Finding a community where you speak the same language can be a balm for the soul and worth holding onto for as long as you can.   The Church has been in the community forming business longer than most institutions, and we haven't perfected it yet, but we will still try till Jesus comes again. 

In closing, we can be released from the idea that the perfect environment equals community. Many beautiful treasures can be found within a community if you are willing to pursue true words. We will always be working it out with the available information, constantly shifting.    Equipped with knowledge, we can ease the tension in our community along with a generous helping of grace and forgiveness.

So let us raise a glass and toast the pursuit of true words!