Too many crimes are committed in the name of honesty and truth. Some people claim to be very open people because they always speak the truth. They claim they are honest in dealing with people when they don’t like something.
That is what they say. There are times I may have also used their language. Rather, they’re excuses.
Often it is just a cover for being nasty. Mean. Stop giving honesty and being truthful a bad rap because of your meanness.
I’m not suggesting that we never speak the truth. I’m saying we must be careful how we speak the truth.
We must be honest with people but it matters how we translate that honesty in the context. Care enough about your message to package it well.
Also, don’t mistake being rude for being honest with people. That makes you worse than a jerk. As I encounter people who do such, I write these things as notes to myself.
There are many opportunities to be a jerk. The question is, “Will I take them?” [Click to Tweet]
Will you?
I know that I can be just as bad. You too. I’d like to think that I can’t be as bad as everyone else but that is not the truth. Sometimes I do cross the “jerk line”.
I’m glad to have people around me that love me enough to pull me back over that line without being nasty but truthful in a kind way. It hurts, sometimes, but it helps. I end up a better person. These people help me become more.
I want to be honest about how I feel with people I care about and leave relationships intact. In fact, I want, I need the relationships to be stronger. I want people I lead to love me for the truth I bleed, with love.
“I’m just saying the truth” or “I’m just being honest” must not be used, as a cop out for not delivering the truth in a way it deserves.
Truth is a beautiful thing. It deserves to be delivered in a manner that exalts not demeans it [Click to Tweet]
Truth is like a hammer. If it is used well it can build great things. It can also be used destructively. We get to choose how we use it.
Love people and truth enough to use it to build up; not destroy [Click to Tweet]
When you’re done using truth, the hammer, may be there more standing and not rubble.
Honesty strengthens the foundations of relationships, don’t deface it.
[Photo Credit: Marc Wathieu]