The grey area that sits between reality and imagination, truth and lies, dreams and practicality conceals a trap that waits for us all. It’s the trap of honesty.
It’s altogether possible to fool ourselves some of the time…to convince ourselves that a blatant wrong is a potential right.
We may go down that path with the very best of intentions. It could be that we believe we are protecting ourselves or helping someone else sidestep emotional pain. Given sufficient effort and imagination black can be seen as white or an exaggeration accepted as normal. The problem is that the truth will out.
Facts and honesty will always defeat distortion and deceit. It may take some time but light will ultimately break through the darkness.
Honesty sits at the heart of human character. From there it links with integrity, trustworthiness, authenticity and a range of other positive aspects so necessary in the pursuit of a happy and fulfilling life.
But just as we must first love ourselves before we can completely love another it’s imperative that we get to know the person we are.
While the process can be a painful experience the key to it is honesty. Anything less is counter-productive and the cause of pain and anguish.
The truth can be hard to accept and sometime difficult to understand. It should be handled with compassion but it should never be ignored.
Consistency and transparency are two of the hallmarks of honesty.
Mental wellbeing and happiness are not gifts. They are the results of honest effort.
Gary Bentley Counselling 