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For The Sake of Expressing Your Truth

A few weeks ago I spent some time in one of the most interesting, uncomfortable conversations of my life. I have never before talked with someone who probed as deeply as this man did into the far recesses of my brain. I spent the rest of the afternoon deep in thought trying to recover the emotional side of my being.

I've since been told that this is what it's like to talk to me. I mention this because I've been very aware lately of how my communication style is very different from most everyone else's. Some people call it being direct. I've called it "turning my brain inside out". Today I found a new description: "for the sake of expressing your truth".

That's it.

As I roll around this line in my head, I can't help but wonder why more people cannot grasp this concept. I know the answer, but it still doesn't seem adequate. You see, truth is truth. I've talked openly about going through intensive therapy sessions. I've told people I love them without ever expecting that statement in return. I've apologized knowing full well that I won't be forgiven. I've even sat in a reserved silence because the moment wasn't right.

Expressing your truth requires risk because we are all so accustomed to the stickiness of human interaction. Yet, I cannot escape the fact that your truth...my truth...is really only about you...or me. I only have control over my own thoughts and feelings. How others respond is entirely up to them.

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