Tiny Wisdom: On Being Honest

“It pays to be honest, but it’s slow pay.” ~Proverb

There are two types of rewards we can enjoy in this life: the kind that appear to come immediately, and the kind that we generally don’t realize are accumulating over time.

When you say what people want to hear instead of speaking your mind, you may receive their validation; but in the long run, it won’t be nearly as satisfying as knowing you’re a person who operates with integrity.

When you lie about who you are to avoid the discomfort of being rejected, you may receive other people’s approval; but it won’t be nearly as gratifying as knowing people like you for you and earning your own self-respect.

When you fail to acknowledge your needs to meet another person’s, you may feel good about being considerate; but it won’t be nearly as rewarding as taking care of yourself.

Honesty can feel uncomfortable in the short-term. I’ve often struggled with being fully myself, asking for what I need, and saying no when people ask for things I don’t want to give. But everything good in my life has come from the decision to honor my own truth.

We all have countless opportunities to do this from one day to the next. Today when you have a choice to be true to yourself or please someone else, ask yourself: Would you rather be honest and temporarily uncomfortable, or slowly convince yourself that what you want, need, and believe doesn’t matter?

Photo by zeepack

About Lori Deschene

Lori Deschene is the founder of Tiny Buddha. She started the site after struggling with depression, bulimia, and toxic shame so she could recycle her former pain into something useful and inspire others do the same. She recently created the Breaking Barriers to Self-Care eCourse to help people honor their needs—so they can feel their best, be their best, and live their best possible life. If you’re ready to start thriving instead of merely surviving, you can learn more and get instant access here.

See a typo or inaccuracy? Please contact us so we can fix it!