Honesty

They say the truth sets you free. I'd imagine that the idea behind this is that once you tell someone the truth that the boulder you've been holding inside of you that is so big will be released. However, I am not always sure this is the case. Sometimes, the truth can bring a whole new set of complications. Sometimes, people don't always like honesty.

I dream of living in an honest world where I could just stop pretending. You know, a world where I wouldn't have to pretend I didn't like someone or that I'm always okay all the time or that I don't really, really want to be someone's friend. It would also be kind of nice if other people were honest so I could see the real version of them and understand. This honest world, however, will never happen I suppose so I will stop pretending.

Still, what if it did? What if we were all truly honest?

I know a boy who can't lie. He blurts out things and sometimes people laugh or look at him strangely. I don't blame him for it, though. In fact, I admire and like him as much as I feel bad for him in these moments.

I don't know if I could ever have the courage to be totally honest. Still, it is an interesting thing to look at the pros and cons of honesty.

I know that honesty is my first step to being assertive. You know, telling people how I feel and everything. It can tell people that you are not to be stepped on, that you have feelings too. In these kind of situations, I suck at being honest. These situations can make others unhappy with you but it ultimately is what makes you feel better. It makes the above situation definitely valid. That situation, for me, has always been nerve-wracking but freeing when it's always occurred. In this case, honesty causes better communication and thus better relationships.

Yet, at the same time, the truth can hurt. As in hurt I mean hurt both involved- the teller and receiver. Sometimes the truth can sneak out or just be blurted out. This is what white lies are often for but still... Sometimes this can be a necessary thing. Necessary but painful nonetheless. Sometimes it simply must come out but its coming out benefits no one. Also, sometimes it can simply embarrass and ruin a person.

At the same time, sometimes it can hurt and heal. Sometimes it can mean coming forward or confessing a long-hidden truth.

I suppose the best thing to do is to tell the truth consistently, so the little ugly truths don't get buried under the rug and rot as they build up. Telling the truth consistently leads to better communication and ensures no one gets stepped on. In the end, the truth is better.

I was thinking about this topic for a variety of reasons- my continual need to be assertive and urge for honesty, writing about hard topics that need to be heard like bullying, watching the scene of Glee character Santana coming out to her abuela after it was mentioned by YouTuber Brittanysoficial.

Honesty, though hard, is important I guess. I only need to learn how to speak the truth aloud.