Integrity is telling myself the truth.
And honesty is telling the truth to other people.
Spencer Johnson
There was a programme on TV some years ago which followed the trials and tribulations of the inhabitants of a remote village in the Borneo rainforest. A long-running dispute had resulted in considerable hostility between different factions within the village. Their approach to finding a resolution was fascinating: everybody was invited to gather for a communal discussion, and at this meeting each person was asked to ‘speak their truth’ about the dispute. And so they did. No holds barred — just complete honesty. There were no violent outbursts or recrimination; each person simply explained their point of view and everybody else listened respectfully. The outcome was amazing. Everybody understood everybody else’s point of view, months of bitterness and resentment evaporated, a solution was agreed and harmony was restored.
In relationships, where tensions and misunderstandings have built up over a period of time, it’s only when both parties sit down and talk things over and really tell their truth (believe me, you know when you hear the real truth and not a fabrication or half-truth) that the situation stands a chance of being resolved.
In the same way, I’ve noticed that when people make decisions which are based on complete honesty about their situation, something extraordinary happens, synchronicity kicks in and things fall into place.
Sometimes it’s nothing short of terrifying to speak your truth (as much to yourself as to anyone else), but I’m coming to believe wholeheartedly that when you overcome the fear or the resistance and tell the truth about your life, that you will instantly know it’s right; you’ll experience a huge sense of relief; you’ll feel energised and everything will seem to slot into place.
QUESTION: Is there a truth that you are avoiding? Is there a truth that you need to speak?
We know the truth, not only by the reason,
but also by the heart.
Pascal
Honesty has a beautiful and refreshing simplicity about it.
No ulterior motives. No hidden meanings….
As honesty and real integrity characterize our lives,
there will be no need to manipulate others.
Chuck Swindoll
The house of delusions is cheap to build
but drafty to live in.
A.E. Houseman