Being truthful with friends

It's a well known idea called the truth. However, sharing the truth, in the form of constructive criticism, with good friends still isn't easy - especially if they are older and don't think they need someone younger and less experienced telling them how to do something. Although truth is always the best route - it certainly doesn't always seem the easiest.

Today, I met up with an older friend who I felt I needed to share some advice with. Because of my delicate presentation, I believe that I was able to introduce constructive criticism that ended in a genuine and positive discussion. Although my friend did agree that the behavior I was questioning could be questioned he explained his reasons for this behavior. Although, I could have seen these explanations as a rationalization, I remained open and was able to appreciate his reasoning.

There certainly was a chance of offending my friend. However, the fact that I called him on this issue, let him know that I had noticed, forced him to be accountable for his actions. I am glad I did. One might think it would have been easier to say nothing. However, I realized that if I had something that I felt was imporatant to say - and did not, because of a possible confrontation and resulting hard feelings, then I wouldn't really have been open and honest. And what kind of real friendship is that. (You shouldn't start a sentence with and - by the way.)

So today's lesson is - if you have something to say, and you say it from a position of caring and truly positive intention, then you are being true to your friend and more importantly to yourself. Now that sounds like real friendship.