Personal Honesty

The quality of honesty is to tell the truth, and this is admirable. Have we ever looked at how honest we are about ourselves? What the truth is about us, and how do we find it?  First of all we have to be self aware and do some introspection asking questions such as "How do I feel today?" "What do I want?" and "If this is the last day of my life, am I doing what I want to be doing?" We should know why we are doing something, is it because we want to and it is who we are, or is it something someone wants us to do?" Are we trying to please ourselves (in a nice way), or trying to please someone else at our expense?" One time I read a quote that said, and I paraphrase: to conquer yourself is more than to conquer a city. We may not know how we feel because we have denied and stuffed our feelings in the past. It is also easier to deceive ourselves, and often others, about our motives and intentions. We need to be able to admit our imperfections, shortcomings, flaws, and mistakes having the courage to see ourselves as to whom we really are. We do this in order to find our part in our circumstances, difficulties, and relationships. This may require making some changes, maybe even some painful ones, but with the right attitude we can use our observations as opportunities to open ourselves up for self growth. It is  important to be open, genuine, authentic, earnest, and sincere, therefore, not only being true to ourselves, but as a gift to others. For when we are consistently honest, not only do we become comfortable to be around, but reliable and trustworthy. The bottom line is that being true to ourselves means we are being honest with ourselves about what we think, feel, have done, as well as what we want. And, not pretending to be someone we are not, instead what our parents, our friends, or society expects us to be.  We need to go where our hearts lead us if we are not hurting anyone in the process.  When people are dishonest there is a sense of secretiveness, and perhaps even dislike of themselves because they know they aren't  being who they are.  When we are honest and true to ourselves, we are confident, direct, and straightforward in words and actions because we know we have nothing to hide. The best policy is to talk and share openly about thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Life is relating to one another and we all need to know and feel we "get what we see." The soliloquy in William Shakespeare's Hamlet: "This above all - to thine ownself be true." is about choosing to be truthful to, and responsible, and respectful of, ourselves and others. For if we don't know our truth and aren't true to ourselves, how can we honest with others?