When we feel trapped or pressured, it takes great spiritual and emotional strength to be honest.
Basic Text, p. 81
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Many of us try to wiggle out of a difficult spot by being dishonest, only to have to humble ourselves later and tell the truth. Some of us twist our stories as a matter of course, even when we could just as easily tell the plain truth. Every time we try to avoid being honest, it backfires on us. Honesty may be uncomfortable, but the trouble we have to endure when we are dishonest is usually far worse than the discomfort of telling the truth.
Honesty is one of the fundamental principles of recovery. We apply this principle right from the beginning of our recovery, when we finally admit our powerlessness and unmanageability. We continue to apply the principle of honesty each time we are faced with the option of either living in fantasy or living life on its own terms. Learning to be honest isnt always easy, especially after the covering up and deception so many of us practiced in our addiction. Our voices may shake as we test our newfound honesty. But before long, the sound of the truth coming from our own mouths settles any doubts: Honesty feels good! Its easier living the truth than living a lie.
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Just for today: I will honestly embrace life, with all its pressures and demands. I will practice honesty, even when it is awkward to do so. Honesty will help, not hurt, my efforts to live clean and recover.
During my using days, I lied to manipulate people and cover up my tracks. I try to practice honesty today but it can be difficult to do this when I feel trapped or pressured. I need to be honest, especially in difficult situations.
I always try to be honest but when Im not I am very aware of it.Something in active times I would not care or even realize.We work toward progress and not perfection.Discretion is certain situations also take place and choices to make on being "brutally" honest or saying nothing will come into play..incapable of remaining silent even when speaking the truth would hurt someone.God will allow us the exact degree of knowledge when to step back and let Him handle it!
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Our purpose is to remain clean,just for today,and to carry the message of recovery.
I'm pretty conscious about lies. It's manipulation, hidden agenda, and ulterior motive that still gets me. I may truly believe that I did something for an honest purpose, only to realize later that I was serving my self centered agenda and not the will of my HP.
i was in my opinion the biggest lier on the planet in my using days and just as a matter of course in my daily life getting and staying honest is still a constant fight i work on this alot i try to be the better me these days and i like to think i am being honest great topic and life lesson
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some of us win some of us lose with god and this program i will be a winner
In my active addiction I could make myself believe that "if I lied to my kids or my family" it was because I didn't want to hurt them and it worked for way too long. Lying and manipulation was a huge part of my addiction and it's something I've done since I was a young kid to get out of trouble. My parents divorced when i was only 6 yrs old so I learned the art of manipulation and only telling a slight version of the truth by playing them to get my way long before I ever took my first drink or drug. Lying out right isn't my problem anymore but w/out even realizing it manipulation & making you believe my perception instead of what the actual reality of something is still a very hard struggle for me. I hope that makes sense!
Have a great day! Stacey
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The Will Of GOD Will Never Take You Where The Grace Of GOD Will Not Protect You
