Segmented Lives

In this week's Balance Beam(TM) message, I noted that like John Edwards, many of us are living double lives, the result of our ability to segment and "wall off" sections of our lives from the "rest of our life." We delude ourselves into thinking "no one will ever know" the unflattering things we do, while ignoring the larger question about why we are no longer integrated, whole men--we truly are who we say we are and not hiding behind an "image."

What do you think. Are men guilty of this more often than women? What are the risks--to career, family, personal integrity of self-delusion or justifying behavior we know is wrong?

Question: Would you be willing to answer to an "accountability partner" who would keep you honest with yourself? Someone who would challenge your behavior when it gets out of line with what you know is right?

I'd welcome your thoughts on this.

Jerry Hancock