Having An Impact: Communicate Honestly

I have a little pet peeve when I hear someone relay a thought or answer a question by starting it with “Honestly..”
I often want to reply with: “Really? Does that mean everything else said wasn’t honest? I can only believe the following statement, and not any of the other things you said?”
 
And yes, I’ve done that a few times.
 
To me, being honest in communication should be a given. Why lie? I was raised to be honest is my statements and answers. If my parents asked me a question, it better have been answered in honesty and truth. I believe no one likes being lied to, or treated with dishonesty.
 
However, I had hard time with this growing up. I was very trusting in my friends. Sadly, many used that against me, and I was considered “gullible”. And I guess I was. Yes, I believed I should trust my friends. I was honest to them, shouldn’t I receive the same in return. Unfortunately, several took advantage of my “trusting” and would have fun at my expense.
 
This may be hard to believe, but I’ve grown up. Yes, I still long to trust others, but found I can’t always do that. On the other hand, that’s not going hinder me in being honest. I still believe in honest communication and will still strive to be honest to others.
 
In fact, honest communication is the staple in my marriage and relationship with Lydia. It’s been that way since we first started dating. We communicate about everything. That communication is all based on honesty.
 
I do want to clarify that there’s a difference between being honest and being "frank in conversation". With others, there are topics and situations in conversation that I don’t need to give all information. What I do speak of will be in honesty, but I will hold back on speaking too much if it is unnecessary. I believe that gossip is not ‘honest communication”. I can be honest without telling everything that needs not to be shared. :)
 
Communicating honestly is a great policy, a great way to have an impact on those around you. Something I strive to have.

~Matt