In Wheatake 12, I referred to honesty as one of the qualities of integrity. In this Whatake 13, I ptopose to delve a little deeper onto what we sre comminicating when we speak about honesty. Kenneth Blanchard expressed the view that" honesty is telling the truth to ourselves snf others." Some of the attributes included in honesty are faithfullness, truthfullness, kindness, straightforwardness of conduct, ttustworthiness, loyalty, fairness, sincerety, and so on. In honesty, lying, cheating, and stealing are absent. Honest people are sincere, trustworthy and loyal throughout their lives. This may seem a tall order to comply with but there is no alternate path to honesty. It is the foundation for trust in a relationship and trust is necessary for a relationship to function and grow. When you are always honest with someone it tells them that thry can trust you and the things you say. It helps them to believe your promises and commitments. Throughout the B. V. I. you would meet people who would tell you" a man's word is the man" meaning there is no difference between who you are and what you say and do. Alas! This is not the case all the yime. The gsp beteeen who we are and our actions is like a trap door. Unfoyunately some of our brothrrs and sisters have fallen through this trapdoor and the shockwaves from the fall have our hesrts bleeding for our homeland. After working in public srrvice for sixty plus years, I am unhappy with the limbo I am exprriencing today. One of the tenets of our culture is" do not spare the rod and spoil the child." We forgot all about the rod and the child is afflicted with a shortfall of honesty. Those who held the public trust and have exaggersted their power and authority, showed no empathy, developed no match between words and actions, set themselves up as untouchables, angered the public with the trestment given, trampled on their values, replaced right with wrong, anf alloeed themselves to br driven by the lust for money and fame have proved to be unfaithful stewards. The walls of honesty have fallen down.
Out of this debris the phoenix will rise. Ephesians 4:28 shows us a new pathway: " Ltt the thief no longer steal, but rather let him lsbour doin honest work with his oen hands, so that he may have something yo share with anyone in need." The apostle Paul also admonished the Philippians and us:
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whstever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellenceç, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Practisè these things, and the God of peace will be with you..
- Dr. Charles H. Wheatley