Hi EveryOne,

Happy first day of summer. Wow, already our 50th power – thank you for your continual support and courage for imbibing these powers into your individual lives. I’ve been pondering what to do in the new year and as we now have so many powers, I feel it’s time to review them. You see, it’s no good having all these powers if we forget one as soon as we start practicing another. So starting January I will continue to draw one power per month for us to practice, but on the basis of reviewing, revisiting and strengthening all 50 we’ve already covered. If you feel you don’t wish to continue with this that’s fine, just let me know and I’ll take you off the list. For those who wish to continue I look forward to staying connected and continuing our work together – transforming ourselves as a means to transform the world 🙂 And what a wonderful Power to complete our tool belt for empowering ourselves and our environment.

Our 50th Power – Power of Honesty

Honesty and truth are not entirely the same,
in truth we can still lie – trapped in our own con game.
‘Speaking truth’ can be shrewd and tricky at best,
withholding details to keep lies close to our chest…
But endorsing truth through an honest heart,
takes much courage – a wonderful living, but dying art.

** The Power of Honesty is the ability to speak from my heart regardless the consequences.  It means to keep life simple and uncomplicated because I have nothing to hide.

** I am an Open Book. Others can read me as I am for I have no need to cover up. I can look in the mirror without shame, fear, guilt or regret.

** Supporting Virtues: Sincerity, Courage, Authenticity, Balance, Dignity, Discernment, Pure-Hearted

Tips:

1. Honesty and truth are closely related but they are not the same.

2. Honesty is more of an attitude. Truthfulness is more about stating facts (we can be truthful without being honest).

3. Honesty is to be lived. Truthfulness is spoken.

Questions to churn:

1. Am I honest with myself? Can I look in the mirror without shame, fear, guilt or regret?

2.  Am I honest with others? Can I look them straight in the eye, knowing I have nothing to hide and without fear of being ‘found out’?

3. When might I deceive myself or others by speaking truth but not being completely honest in my dealings?  ie. truthful in answering a question (but only answering the question asked) while withholding important details or information – so I can tell myself I’m not ‘lying’ – though deep down I know I’m not being entirely honest. (Politicians are good at this – and many people would make great ‘politicians’).

The more honest we are with ourselves the easier and uncomplicated life becomes. So facing our own mistakes, inconsistencies and weaknesses, as well as our strengths and accomplishments, keeps us humble and honest in our life. Nothing to hide, no-one to impress. Honesty (though confronting) is extremely liberating! It’s freeing because we don’t spend our life running around pleasing others, nor do we need to hide or pretend to be something we’re not. Just aiming each day to be the best we can be, with the gifts and blessings we’ve been given. Living uncomplicated means to eradicate complicated situations and relationships that hold us over a barrel, where we compromise ourselves and dishonesty becomes a way of life.

Interesting isn’t it. Have you ever noticed that telling the truth and being honest are often not the same thing? Self denial for example, creates self deception, an inner state where it’s easy to convince ourselves that all is well. And in time start believing that we are being honest, because we are being ‘truthful’, yet our lives will paint a completely different story. It is entirely possible to be truthful without being honest. Lying to ourselves or others in this subtle way can run extremely deep and be very difficult to transcend – but not insurmountable 🙂 When we learn to ‘live’ our virtues, we learn to live our true essence, then truth and honesty become one of the same. A high aim indeed, but altogether possible when we keep our virtues close at hand. And you know what? We are worth it aren’t we? So are our children… And our children’s children  🙂

Lots of love, Annemarie