“The Emperor’s New Clothes” is a story that always fascinated me. As a child, I had a beautifully illustrated book of this story featuring a rather ugly emperor and his over-indulging court. At that early age, I didn’t quite get the true meaning behind this tale.

Today, however, it’s a different story. The Emperor’s New Clothes is something I refer to quite often about people, like the emperor, that just hear what they want to hear, and see what they want to see…without acknowledging the facts. Until, it is too late, and like the emperor, they end up nude in public.

When confronted with situations of people being obstinately blind to what’s in front of them, I am amazed at their inability to differentiate between fact from opinion. The other thing that is troubling is how deep they are willing to dig themselves for the sake of being right. I also find that much like the emperor in the story, these people are surrounded by “yes” men and women that in their self-interest do not tell the truth.

So next time you come across a blind emperor…just imagine them nude, and move on.