Truth Be Told

The thing about a funk is that even though it's all in our heads, it can make everything seem dull and flat. I've been in a bit of a funk lately and I am deciding today to get over it. If it's all in my head, and I believe that it is, then I get to tell the funk where it can go. To be in a funk is a choice. Today, I choose light. I choose to smile more and sulk less. India Arie has a song that says, "I choose to be the best that I can be. I choose to be authentic in everything. I choose. My past don't dictate who I am. I choose!" Today, I choose to do something brave. I choose to be kind when my impulse is to be impatient. I choose to do better, be thankful, see beauty, and give joy. I choose to be honest with myself. That's a big one. Do you lie to yourself? I bet we all do. Man, I can lie to myself. I can buy that. I'm not flaky. I'll do it later. Ay, carumba! Cut it out, D! A friend of mine asked me for some relationship advice last night and I said, "Just be honest. Don't be afraid of being honest, even if you're confused, because if the other person can't handle your honesty then you've found the deal-breaker." We have to be honest with ourselves and with each other. Just say the truth! Wouldn't our relationships be so much more substantial if we knew the truth about one another? I crave- that's crave- substantial, honest, brave relationships. I say brave because it's not at all easy, this being honest. Honesty uncovers brokenness and pain that we've worked incredibly hard to hide, but when someone sticks around after you let him or her in deep enough to see those things... that's what it's all about. To give and receive love from the people who know who you are, honestly... that is exciting! That is where relationships of depth and substance and life are cultivated- out of honesty. We should all hope to have these people with whom we can do the heavy lifting and deep digging of honest relationship. Being dishonest will put you in a funk, and that's a place nobody ought to be found. Not for long, anyways. So, today I choose to tell my funk where to go. Honestly!