Which would you choose: acceptance achieved by pretense or rejection caused by honesty?
Living honestly? It’s risky business.
Wear a mask and be well-liked. Conform to the expected behaviors and earn a pat on the back . . . a place at the table . . . a “welcome to the family” — whatever equals acceptance for you.
Or replace the sanctified lie with the unvarnished truth and get ignored . . . mocked . . . thrown out the door right before it’s slammed in your face.
Sometimes living honestly means the only one left to hear the truth you’re speaking is you. But that doesn’t mean you’re wrong. It just means it’s time to go searching for others who love honesty and live honestly, too.
In Others’ Words: I’ll end today’s post the way I started it. Which would you choose: acceptance achieved by pretense or rejection caused by honesty?
Today’s quote is from my friend Cynthia Ruchti’s novel, When the Morning Glory Blooms. Cynthia is a gifted writer and this book is beautifully–and honestly–written.
[ctt template=”8″ link=”QUETy” via=”yes” ]In Others’ Words: The Honest Truth https://ctt.ec/QUETy+ #InOthersWords #livinghonestly #quotes @bethvogt[/ctt] [ctt template=”8″ link=”KI3Ng” via=”yes” ]”We all must risk rejection in order to live honestly.” #quote @cynthiaruchti #livinghonestly @bethvogt[/ctt]
Comments 10
Actually, at this point I’d gladly take acceptance gained through pretense.
I’m being slowly beaten to death here, and have had my fill of reality. Everyone needs a refuge, even if it’s gained through devious means, and that’s where I am now.
Maybe this says something bad about my character, but maybe character is defined by knowing when you’ve gone as far as you can go. I have no idea, but I’m done.
Author
Andrew, not to pick a fight with you today, my friend, but you wrote such an honest response to my question today. Even when you want to quit … even in the hardest of your ongoing most difficult of days, you remain true to yourself.
Praying for you my friend. You may feel done … but you continue to live your life honorably and honestly.
Thanks, Beth. I really appreciate the prayers. It was a terrible night, and it’s a frightening day.
I spent decades living the first way, and it only led to deeper insecurities. Though rejection is scary, I’ll risk it for the freedom living honestly gives. Any day. Loved this post, friend.
Author
Such insight here, Jeanne, how living dishonestly leads to deeper insecurity. Thank you for sharing.
I love this! And I needed it. I’m bothered very little by writing rejections, but reject me personally … oh goodness, I could curl up some days and die. But I’m risking it lately and I feel better until I notice a local friend’s unfriended me after I’ve gotten more real on FB. It is risky, but so is depression, so I guess I’m out there and there’s not going back. I love getting confirmation from friend’s blogs
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It’s funny, Kim, you’ve gotten more real on FB — love your “self-care” posts — and I’m spending less and less time on FB. I took my first-ever social media sabbatical during December and realized how much I enjoyed being away from all the noise. Yes, I miss some of the updates, but for the most part, I like living “less,” when it comes to social media.
I didn’t realize you had taken an official sabbatical, but I remember missing you in my newsfeed. I’ve heard away time is refreshing and most friends say the same as you, they don’t miss it. I don’t miss it either when we’re at our mountain house and don’t have access. Maybe my sabbatical’s coming.
friends’ blogs 🙂
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🙂