Honesty, what is it?

Honesty is very important to me, and it is the way I choose to live my life. It is part of my personal integrity, and it means I am authentic. I do my best to be honest with myself and others, but I know not everyone lives this way.

Honesty is often a barrier to furthering our career. To get ahead, we must play the game, say the right words, to get acknowledgement. For many, to be honest can mean a loss of leverage. Manipulation, twisting the truth and outright lying is important to achieve what we want. When it comes to money, we can be particularly manipulative. In my career as an accountant, I have found that money brings the worst out in people. After all, it is the cornerstone of our capitalist society.

I have often been saddened by the hidden agendas of my co-workers and bosses. When it comes to money, some of us will use any measure to get what we want. In the end I told myself that giving my best was more important to me than money. If the quality of my work was not acknowledged, then this workplace was not for me. Because the endless seeking of money is not good for the soul.

Honesty is more than being factual about surface issues with others. It is also being honest with ourselves, about the real issues, the deeper reality. When the door is closed and no one else is around but those we live with, who are we? Who we are with our loved ones? How close we can get with them and how at ease are they are in our presence? True honesty is spoken in love. Consideration of others means we can be honest without hurting them.

When I remove my mask and there is no one around, am I happy with myself? I must like the person I am living with. I can moody, unmotivated and down-right difficult to be with, but in the end, I am the one I must confront, not my boss, or my co-workers, or even friends.

When integrity and authenticity is central, I enjoy my life. Honesty with myself, and others means I can have healthy relationships and know I am loved for who I am.

In love, Jenny

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