Key 12 – Honesty

Honesty is one of the most important qualities in a relationship. We must send each other accurate messages and receive accurate responses. “Getting to know one another” includes both good and bad feelings, frustrations, fears, problems—anything that is on our minds and hearts. By telling the truth in a friendship, we are building emotional stability—a foundation for a quality friendship.

When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.

― Henri J.M. Nouwen 

Thought to ponder:  In what areas is it difficult for you to be totally honest in your relationships?