Intrepid honesty may be among the most difficult forms of being intrepid because, although we value honesty as a virtue in our culture, most of us have had difficulty facing it as regards ourselves.
To hear that we have let ourselves go, or that we changed from the sweet wonderful person we once were, or that we have caused harm, or been unfair, or that others are worried for us – these examples of being intrepidly honest demonstrate how we are likely to squirm when confronted with a focused view of reality – whether from others or ourselves observing ourselves.
Honesty must be constructively and lovingly offered to have a reasonable chance of being effective. Intrepid honesty is fearlessly loving in its intent to support one’s own or another’s growth.
How often are you intrepidly honest with yourself? With others? How do you access the level of courage required to be intrepid in sharing your constructive observations? Are you willing to be intrepid in your sharing even if you know that what you communicate will be met with difficulty or even total rejection?