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“Although honesty is difficult to practice, it is most rewarding.” – Basic Text, page 92
Honesty is a concept that, despite its simplicity, many of us find extremely challenging to practice. Upon entering Narcotics Anonymous (NA), we are often so confused about the true events of our lives that unraveling the truth can take months or even years. The stories we tell about our past are sometimes more fiction than fact. This discrepancy raises the question: how do we start being more truthful?
For many of us, being honest with ourselves and others feels like an insurmountable task. We worry that revealing our true selves might lead to rejection or judgment, making it difficult to break free from the façades we have constructed. In these moments, honest prayer becomes a lifeline, providing a safe space to begin practicing sincerity.
Many of us find that the easiest place to start being honest is in prayer. When we communicate with our Higher Power, we find an acceptance that encourages us to open our hearts with honesty. This acceptance is often missing in our interactions with fellow addicts, where we might fear judgment or rejection if we show our true selves.
In prayer, we do not need to maintain the “terminally hip and fatally cool” image that we often project. Instead, we can express our true feelings and thoughts, knowing that our Higher Power will accept us unconditionally. This practice of honest communication with the God of our understanding can set the foundation for a more truthful life.
Once we start being honest in prayer, this practice often extends to our interactions with others. By developing a habit of honesty in our spiritual communications, we find it easier to be truthful when sharing at meetings or working with other addicts. This ripple effect of honesty enriches our lives, fostering deeper and more meaningful relationships.
As we continue to practice honesty, we find that it also improves our relationship with ourselves. Being truthful with oneself is crucial, as it allows for self-awareness and personal growth. By starting with honest prayer, we gradually learn to face our truths without fear, leading to a more authentic and fulfilling life.
Honesty, like any other quality, is developed through practice. It is not always easy to be completely truthful, but starting with honest prayer helps us build the courage to extend this honesty to other areas of our lives. Over time, this practice becomes more natural, and we find ourselves living more authentically.
By committing to honesty, we open the door to deeper connections and a more genuine existence. This journey may be challenging, but the rewards of living truthfully are profound.
Honesty begins with a single step—honest prayer. By being sincere in our prayers, we can gradually extend this honesty to ourselves and others, enriching our lives and relationships.
Just for today: I will be honest with God, myself, and others.