Honestly

Many people around the world and in different cultural and societal contexts value honesty. 

Honesty is a great thing: It allows us to talk openly about issues and concerns that have meaning for us and should have meaning for others. 

It should not be confused with “being nice,” or even “telling white lies.” Both of those traits inhabit the shady space between manipulation and outright deceit.

Honesty is a positive communication trait, along with truth telling, patience, silence, self-awareness, clarity, relaxation and forgiveness.

However, sometimes there comes a point in every confrontation communication when even honestycan be used as a weapon.

This point arrives when one party’s desire to be “candid” overrides their good sense.

When employed as weapon, honesty can slice through a party’s self-esteem, robbing them of the very tools, growth and autonomy in a conflict communication that the sender is seeking to implant. 

Compassion is the most important part of honesty. Because the “truth,” given honestly, can set a person free. 

But given without empathy, compassion and self-awareness, honesty becomes just another dirty word.

Honestly.