The importance of being honest

Honesty really is the best policy. When the people around us, whether they be in personal or professional relationships, are less than truthful; it hurts. A broken promise. A withheld truth. A story that changes depending on who's in the room. Dishonesty stings, and it creates confusion. But dishonesty doesn't have to harden you, and it is not the end. Here's are a few truths that have helped guide me through relationships and environments where transparency was lacking: 

🧍🏽‍♀️Stand firm in your truth. When someone is dishonest with me, I know this is about their character and has nothing to do with my worth. 

🔎 Use clarity as your guide. I choose to communicate with transparency and honesty even when I am not gifted the same in return. My reward is personal credibility and the peace that comes from knowing I'm true to myself. 

💕 Set boundaries to protect your heart. I've lived the cycle of bitterness and resentment, and I no longer choose it. Like a helpful traffic sign, I proceed with caution. No fear. No cynicism; just wisdom. 

I've found that leaning in to my integrity, no matter what the crowd says, has given me a sense of peace and calm. When you're honest, you don't have to rely on your memory. You simply say what's true and act accordingly. And this practice beats deception every single time.