Selective honesty. A tool every effective functioning adult in modern society has learned. But why do we have to surrender part of ourselves for others? Why can't we just let ourselves speak and see what comes out?

Well, that's kind of what I've been doing. This summer I've been trying really hard to be honest. Honest with myself, with others. Say what I'm thinking and feeling and wanting and needing and loving. And not loving. And surprising myself with how candid I've let myself be.

Its amazing the kind of energy I've been attracting from others, and how honest I've found the people who have been surrounding me this summer to be.

So any future career in politics for me is over; I want to be able to say whatever I want without representing anything. I want to be able to change my mind and all I really want is to continuing writing and good writing is honest writing.

So these pasts few months, this practice of honesty, and not selective honesty, but real all the time hard honesty, has been a breath of fresh air in the modern world.

I think a problem was I used to see honesty as a burden, as something mean and rude and responsible for those really uncomfortable conversations that you cringe just thinking about. But honesty and a mean temperament and two very different things. Honesty does not manipulate and make people feel bad. Honesty is not corrupt, it is not absolute, but it can be good.

If you embrace honesty, that is not a default to a rude demeanor. It is a refreshing demeanor. It is authenticity and it allows you to be free. I think honesty is a gift to yourself and the ones you love. If you let yourself be honest with those you love, and you really embrace who you are, your bond (both ways) will be even stronger.

In practicing full honesty rather than selective honesty I've learned 1) there really is no such thing as "selective honesty," and 2) you will be way more effective by being honest with yourself than telling yourself you love your minimum wage job that you really don't love.

What I know about honesty has changed a million times, and it will change a billion more times, but for now, its the best route for me. And its a path I'm planing to stay on. I know that its terrifying to open up to someone, but that little jump of honesty will give you more than you ever could have gotten with carefully chosen words and metaphors that no one really actually realizes what you are eluding to.

But I think the best selling point to honesty- it feels good! So so so good to love someone enough to be honest with them, and at the very least, how empowering is it to be honest with yourself?

I think there needs to be less commercials for nick knacks and cloths and things you really never needed and more for honesty.

"This will make you feel better than ever! A new you! An authentic you! An honest you! A you that surprises yourself when you finally admit that you actually like talking to strangers! And is able to admit without being self conscious that you're GOOD at it!"

A new set of plates can't give you that power but some honesty from within your magical self can.