Honesty is the Best Policy…Or is it?

The good thing about telling the truth is that you don’t have to think and can just tell it like it is.

The bad thing about telling the truth is that you don’t have to think and can sometimes say too much.

So how much is too much? And when should you only tell a part of the truth?

Many times, I’ve said too much. I believe in always being honest. Obviously there are white lies (is the Easter Bunny real) but c’mon now, we’re all adults and even though we found a list of the best adult lego sets to play with we still have to act like grown ups, because we kind of are. I’ve told my dad things I shouldn’t have told him. Because I’m honest. Sometimes I cause him unnecessary worry. Sometimes I cause him unnecessary grief. Sometimes I just plain bug him. But I’m always honest with him. There’s no reason not to be. Telling someone a lie takes effort – you have to come up with a story, or in many cases the opposite of what is the truth (no instead of yes). I’ve also had a potential relationship end because I was too honest. I told her more than I should have. But when someone asks me a question, I will answer it. I have nothing to hide so why not tell them the truth? Sometimes the truth is shocking, Sometimes the truth is more than that person can handle. But in the end, if you are real and are always honest, I think that will be the best policy.

I really like this quotation by Charles Dickens:

To conceal anything from those to whom I am attached, is not in my nature. I can never close my lips where I have opened my heart.

I care deeply. I love fully. There are things in my past which I am not proud of. But they are a part of my past. And they helped me get to where I am today. There was a 10 year period in my life where I was grieving for my mom – from when she passed away on May 17, 2001 up until about January 2011 – where I did things that I never thought I’d do. I was trying to find myself. I was trying to find meaning in my life. I was trying to feel something. When I was finally able to move past the pain and be myself, I looked at those situations and realized how much pain I must have been in to have done that. But I am stronger today for those experiences. I am constantly learning and growing. But I am a passionate soul who wants to be happy. And so I will be myself and be open and honest. And hope that those who care about me accept me for me.