If one is going to be truthful, one has to be very tender. --Florida Scott-Maxwell
Honesty is always the best policy, right? We glibly recite that saying, but it's important to reevaluate its meaning when we are eager to correct or direct the actions of the other people. If being honest will unnecessarily harm them, perhaps being silent is better.
The program is helping us restructure our lives. We discover that many former, automatic responses no longer fit who we desire to be. That means we have to try new, less-practiced behaviors, such as being honest without being harsh or critical.
Learning tenderness is possible. With the help of this program and one another, we are learning to express the acceptance and love that have been given to us by our Higher Power. Giving away what we have been given is sharing the truth absolutely.
I will not hurt anyone today by any comment. I will truthfully share the love and acceptance I have been given.
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
Beautiful post, and yes, I am trying not to feel the need to blurt out things to other people like I did in the past. Think so much of that was 1.I was drunk; 2. I was insecure or 3. I was drunk and insecure.
Love that "Live and let live" quote in AA. It has made me be more accepting of others because I want them to be accepting of me as well as there are still so many things I need to work on myself rather than taking on someone else's inventory.
I can't stand dishonesty when there is no need for it. I was lied to again over something that was not going to harm me. But now I'm hurt because the person let me down again. I can't take it anymore so I can't trust anything this person does or says. It's a shame because they are only lying to deflect from their own responsibilities. They were caught and continued to lie. I don't get it. " I'm not upset that you lied to me, I'm upset that from now on I can't believe you"
It is extremely hard to believe someone who has a history of not being honest. It hurts. I allowed this hurt to cause resentments and get in the way of my inner peace. Now, I have more of that peace because I have learned how to separate that person's actions from "me". That is them and their life and if they have the need to lie right and left I don't have to stand there and listen to them because then I am taking part in it. My time is more valuable to me now because I value it more. I have learned how to try and be more honest myself so I don't cause others pain.
(I still won't tell you that you look fat in that shirt, though....that's just mean )
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