"The Lord requires his people to be honest. May we desire with all our hearts to be honest in all our relationships and in all the things that we do. God will help us if we seek the strength that comes from him. Sweet then will be our peace of mind and our lives. Blessed will be those with whom we live and associate. And God will bless and guide us with his loving care." -Gordon B. HinckleyHonestly, honesty has been on my mind a lot recently. I have been thinking about when it is good to be honest and when it is not. I have not kept it a secret on this blog how much I have changed in the last few years. Lately, I have been trying to be more honest. I have not been 'dishonest'. I have not lied to people. I just have not been willing to open myself up and be completely honest.
At work, we have talked a lot about vulnerability and embarrassing the awkward. I think that this is an important part of being honest. It is not easy to tell the truth. Are you willing to put your thoughts and feelings out there and be honest with a person? Are you willing to put your own embarrassment on the line? Is it always a good thing to do?
So here is where I am stuck. When is it good to be completely honest? When should you keep your mouth shut?
In my new found openness, I have been trying to find the balance. I want to be honest. I don't want to hide behind something and not tell the whole truth. So lately, I have been a little more open than I normally would be. It has been a good thing and a bad thing.
I really like the part of the quote from President Hinckley where he says that God will help us if we seek the strength that comes from him. I believe that this is saying that He will help us to be honest in the right way. He will give us discernment in the things we say and do.
Life is good. I have made some good new friends and strengthened relationships with old friends. I am grateful that I have been able to be honest with my friends.
Our lives can be blessed with honesty. I have seen it in my own life. It is something I am still striving to work on. I am still wanting to find that balance. Thankfully, I am not doing it alone.
Come what may and love it!
Honesty properly tempered has the benefit of being funny even when it is inconvenient. Always choose the truth over a lie, unless the lie happens to make the subject laugh more.
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