Honesty

I recently read a post about the implications of being honest:
http://www.jamesaltucher.com/2011/10/7-things-happen-to-you-when-you-are-completely-honest/

To me, it wasn't a particularly good read, but it did make me think about honesty.

In one of the tree holes that I probably never should have found, I remember reading something about honesty.  It said that it's hard to be completely honest, whether it's to the people around you or to yourself.

Am I an honest person?  I dare not answer that question.

I dare say I try to be honest with the people around me.  But, sometimes, with some people, being honest is not the best choice.  It really depends on the situation and who you're interacting with.  I dare say that I try to be honest with the people around me, but I do not always give complete information.  I'm honest in what I say, but I don't need to tell you all the details.

Perhaps, there are some people around me that I'd like to say more to, but there's a fine line between telling you all the details about what I think of you and imposing my thoughts and beliefs onto you.  Unless circumstances call for it, perhaps it's a little better for me to keep my mouth shut.  There are some people that sometimes tick me off.  There are some people that I think could benefit from some changes.  There are some people that I care about more than they would ever know.

Am I honest to myself?  I'm not entirely sure what that means.  Over the years, through all the ups and downs, I've definitely understood myself more and become more aware of what I think and feel.  Am I honest to myself?  Perhaps not so much, and not enough.

It's hard to be honest.  It's difficult to tell people things that they probably don't want to hear.  It's difficult to force yourself to believe something that you know deep down is not true.

What do you do when you know the truth will hurt people?  Be honest?  Or tell a (white) lie?  When does it stop being a white lie and an outright betrayal?

The "magic" lies in the words you choose.  Be careful.  Tell the truth, but not all the truth.  Be honest, without revealing everything.

No.  I don't like it this way.  But sometimes that's the way it has to be to survive.

(If given the chance, there is one person that I want to try to be completely honest with.  After all the ups and downs, after having seen my strengths and weaknesses, goods and bads, there really is nothing I need to hide.  Nor do I want to leave anything unsaid, because you never know if there will ever be another chance.  Perhaps more importantly, because I trust this person more than I trust myself.)