Last time I talked about self respect and respect for other people. Our ability to get along with others depends on our ability to get along with ourselves. One of the key ingredients in that process is honesty. If you are doing things that make you feel worse about yourself, and hiding them, then you are not likely to be getting along very well with others. John McKay, the legendary basketball coach, said, “I am a big believer in the ‘mirror test.’ All that matters is if you can look in the mirror and honestly tell the person you see there, that you’ve done your best. Many times a person is dishonest to avoid an argument. We can all remember a time when we didn’t tell someone, a parent, friend or spouse, something because we knew they wouldn’t approve and it would lead to a battle. Some of that avoidance is just good sense, but other times, as Mahatma Gandhi said, “Honest disagreement is often a good sign of progress.” F. M. Hubbard said, “Honesty pays, but it doesn’t seem to pay enough to suit some people.” The real payoff to honesty isn’t in money; it’s in peace of mind. It’s in passing the “mirror test.” The real payoff is because, as the French proverb says, “There is no pillow so soft as a clear conscience.” Be honest today. You’ll feel better about yourself and others.
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