I was reading A Course in Miracles this morning, which always feels like coming home. The topic was honesty. And true to form, the explanation in the Course differed from what we generally believe.
Ask someone what it means to be honest, and they’ll likely say, “Telling the truth.” But the Course says that honesty is consistency. It means being absolutely consistent in your words, actions and thoughts. In other words, being honest with yourself.
- If I say that I believe in good health, for instance, but I eat a bag of Cheetos, I’m not being honest.
- If I say I believe in world peace but I’m at my husband for leaving his clothes on the floor (and don’t say anything about it), I’m not being honest.
- If I say I have a dream but I don’t take steps to accomplish it, I’m not being honest.
- If I say that everybody deserves love, but my thoughts are filled with negative self-talk, I’m not being honest.
It may seem implausible to be totally consistent. Even if we can change our words and actions, can we really corral our thoughts? Absolutely. Like anything, we can take a step or two toward it each day. And the reward is great, knowing you can count on yourself and Spirit, no matter what.
- If I say that I believe in good health and I pass up the Cheetos for some fresh fruit, I’m being honest.
- If I say I believe in world peace and I respectfully ask my husband to hang up his clothes, I’m being honest
- If I say I have a dream and I take a step toward it every day, I’m being honest.
- If I say that everybody deserves love and I train my thoughts to be loving toward myself, I’m being honest.
Here’s a challenge: Just for today, identify one belief that you hold, then go through the day paying attention to whether you think, speak, and act in a way that’s consistent with that belief. As you become aware, you can make a different, deliberate choice to be honest in the Miracles sense of the word.
That’s what you can create for yourself by being in alignment with your true nature. Have an honest day!