“Being honest will develop better relationships with others and with yourself!”
—Nancy Salmeron
Honesty is one of the most valuable traits to possess, but for some it is one of the most difficult traits to achieve. In extreme cases, people who lie excessively may be compulsive liars because they are impulsive individuals who have a hard time thinking things through to tell the truth. In less serious cases, people may lie because they lack courage and it’s a way to avoid difficult situations. Empathetic people may lie because they don’t want to hurt other people’s feelings, so they hide the truth. They may invite lies into their life because they want to cover up a mistake, but instead they get deeper into a hole. Some people feel that they are protecting the feelings of others when they lie, so they hide the truth. But all that they are doing is delaying reality because the truth always comes out. Some lie because they don’t want to disappoint others or they need to feel in control. Lies have a snowball effect and once you start, you may not be able to stop. It takes courage to step up with the truth, but it is always the best thing to do. Telling the truth is not always easy. The very fact that it’s easy to lie should remind us of the incredible value truth brings because nothing good ever comes easily. Telling the truth is not only beneficial for the person who speaks the truth, but also for the receiver of the truth. Here are some tips about how to always speak the truth.
Being honest does not mean you need to be cruel.
Be mindful of your words. Being honest does not mean you need to be hard with your words. Being honest does not give you an excuse to be rude. It does not give you a pass to tear others down. Being honest means being respectful. Think about what you will say and how you will approach someone honestly. Ask yourself if your honesty will help the receiver; be clear on what your intention truly is. It is important that you are still diplomatic and kind to avoid hurting people’s feelings. Remember honesty should be helpful, not hurtful. Telling the truth can empower people around you to change and grow, but how you share the truth is as important as telling it.
Put yourself in the other person’s position.
Everyone has been hurt at some point in their lives because of lies. When you are dishonest, it undermines your relationships with others and breaks trust. Get in the other person’s shoes by understanding that sincerity is always the best medicine. You would not like to be lied to, so why lie to others? As you empathize with others you understand that the best relationships come to those that don’t have anything to hide and are always willing to share the truth. Sharing the truth will give you the opportunity to develop open and respectful relationships.
Being honest will develop your integrity.
Your life should be guided by your values; the value of integrity is developed by being honest. As you speak the truth, even when it’s addressing a failure or mistake, you step up to integrity. Hiding or concealing the truth causes more hurt than telling the truth. When you make the conscious choice to tell the truth, you become a better friend, partner, or parent because telling the truth is a sign of love.
Honesty is one of the key components of integrity and necessary for a fulfilling life. Honesty is doing the right thing when nobody is looking. Many forget the importance of this. We forget to be honest because we may want to protect other people’s feelings, we may lack courage, or we may simply be too impulsive to notice. Whatever your reason is for telling that white lie, remember that when you choose the truth over lies you are eliminating feelings of confusion, betrayal, and sadness in your relationships. Remember, real love goes beyond lies and the desire to control others. When we really care about our friends and family, we must be ready to tell them what they may not want to hear. And we must be willing to admit our own mistakes as well. Be courageous and be honest! Until next time, Believe. Change. Become!
Sending many blessings and much love your way!
Nancy😊