—Nancy Salmeron
It is my belief that being dishonest about our feelings and emotions causes us pain, which we then mask with food, alcohol, and other drugs. I also believe that those who don’t like to be honest because of the fear of offending others not only hurt themselves but may hurt those who need a dose of honesty. To be honest does not mean to be cruel. To be honest in your relationships is to seek emotional depth and emotional intimacy. I am not talking about being brutally honest, but about caring enough about your relationship that you are willing to be vulnerable. When you share your true emotions and feelings about how loved ones have impacted you emotionally, you are seeking to heal a wound. You are honest because you care about your relationship and you want to repair some damage that may have occurred. When you are open to honesty, you know that you are worthy of sharing your feelings because you matter.
Seek to express your emotions because you love and want to keep your relationships growing. When you choose to deny or repress your feelings, you are choosing to invite flat, dry, stagnant relationships into your life. On the other hand, if you are willing to be brave and vulnerable and share what is eating you up inside, you have decided to commit to a more alive and vigorous relationship. When you keep your feelings in control to win the approval of others or to minimize the hurt or anger of others, you will eventually hurt yourself. The lie you tell yourself is that all these emotions are dormant, and you are in control, but eventually these emotions will surface in suppressed anger or displaced rage. When you express how you truly feel in an appropriate way, problems and relationship issues get resolved, and your life becomes better. Today, let’s talk about the gift of honesty and how all our relationships can prosper and grow when we seek emotional sincerity and vulnerability.
To be honest is to be authentic.
Being honest about what you feel is part of self-love. It is the act of knowing that you matter and that the way others treat you is important. Being honest is about confidence and intimacy in your relationships. When you disregard honesty and hide your feelings, you are telling yourself that you are not worthy of your feelings. When you share your truth and others don’t respond with empathy and understanding, it may be time to let people go. Being honest is not about being cruel, but about seeking to improve your relationships by becoming vulnerable.
When we are not honest, we hide from our truth.
We may hide our emotions to protect other people’s feelings. Or we may hide them because we fear abandonment by others if they see our true selves. Or perhaps we want to avoid conflict and keep the peace. When we are not honest in our relationships, we are not willing to invest in our truth or become vulnerable. Dishonest individuals don’t like to share their truth because they may not want to be vulnerable, or they are afraid of being controlled by others. If you feel an individual is dishonest, why are you investing time in this relationship?
Be honest and speak your pain.
Don’t abuse yourself. If someone does something that brings you pain or discomfort, speak your mind. When you don’t speak your mind, you will be misaligned with who you truly are. When you keep your truth to yourself, you tell yourself that you don’t matter and that your emotions are not important. Please, say what you feel even if it makes others feel uncomfortable. If they love you, they will empathize, and your relationship will be stronger. If they don’t validate your feelings, let them go.
Our most important relationships thrive on honesty. To be honest in your relationships, you must be willing to be vulnerable. Relationships where honesty is the main goal help you feel secure, comfortable, and supported. As you go through life, remember that by being honest you show others that you are worthy of being treated with kindness and respect. When you are willing to share your feelings with others, you are telling them that your relationship matters, and you want it to grow. I do not mean you should be brutally honest. I mean you should be vulnerable with your emotions. As you become more willing to express your truth, you may promote change in your relationship. This may require patience. Love yourself and practice expressing your feelings so that you and your relationships may grow. Until next time, Believe. Change. Become.
Sending many blessings and much love your way!
Nancy😊