“Being honest may not get you a lot of friends but it’ll always get you the right ones.”

— John Lennon

Today, I felt compelled to channel an intuitive Oracle Card message for you. I was drawn to this beautiful deck by James Van Praagh. Recently, when preparing to channel a message for myself or others, out of all my decks this one has been speaking to me the most often.

“Honesty is the best policy.”

— Edwin Sandys (17th century)

This well-known quote is often incorrectly attributed to Benjamin Franklin. And it is absolutely the truth…except when it isn’t.

Before I begin channelling, I want to add a personal note. There are some people who openly admit to being liars. I was married to one of them and even when he said, “I lie to everyone,” I remember thinking, ‘But you’d never lie to me!’

Yes, I actually did that. Even though it happened many years ago, I can still recall it clearly as if we were sitting in that kitchen together this morning (and I will be eternally grateful that we were not).

Ironically, that was probably the only time he was being honest.

“When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” ~Maya Angelou

This has been one of my most difficult and painful lessons, and the one that has carried the most significant consequences — that is, until I finally learned it.

It was important for me to share this with you because I know I’m not alone in willingly ignoring the signs of a dishonest (or otherwise unsuitable) partner. We hear them speak of cheating on past partners. We listen to them lie to others. They tell us their secret, sneaky plans to get back at someone or to get away with something or to do something unethical or illegal.

Yet somehow, we believe that because we love them — or they love us — they would never do any of this to us. They will only ever be honest, loving, loyal and trustworthy with us.

Um…no.

It’s a massive and all-too-common error in judgment that will tear your life apart.

If you witness unacceptable behaviours toward others, you can be certain you’ll be on the receiving end, too.

Guaranteed.

Your Channelled Message

I am Honesty. The first and most important place to begin with me is within yourself. I will assist you not only with knowing what you need and how you feel, I will also help you recognise those people and situations that are absolutely not right for you.

No matter what you would like to believe, no matter how you try to twist the facts or look at something from a different perspective, if you have to convince yourself of another reality that is more palatable than what you are trying to ignore, it is not for you.

It can be easier for you to believe that others are being truthful than it is for you to be truthful with yourself. Even in the face of evidence to the contrary, you may find yourself trusting others more than you trust yourself.

This is one of the biggest mistakes you will ever make.

You will always find liars. There will always be those people who tell you “white lies,” and you will often be tempted to use them yourself in an effort not to offend. Should you desire to do so, remember that you are not responsible how someone else might feel.

Speak Your Truth

This is often easier said than done but is still essential for you to know how to do this. However, this does not mean you should speak every truth. If it serves no useful purpose and would only create unnecessary trouble, keep it to yourself.

At times, you will be put on the spot and expected to give an honest answer that might not be well received. On each of these occasions, you will need to decide the best course of action.

A common one is when friends invite you to do something in which you have no interest. Typically, many people make an excuse as to why they cannot go when the real answer is simply, “No, thank you, that’s not for me.”

Why do you not say those words? Why do you find it so difficult to connect with me in those moments? Why are you challenged by the idea of speaking your truth in such a situation as this?

I am inviting you to ask yourself these questions and ponder the answers. You might surprise yourself with what you discover.

I am also inviting you to consider me more often in those instances where you would normally be inclined to offer a lie. There are no “white lies.” A lie is a lie is a lie.

When you allow yourself to connect with me more often, your confidence will grow. You will become more your True Self and will stop pretending to be someone else.

Does that idea hit you in a way that does not feel good? I would invite you to consider what else to call it if you are making excuses to others or telling them, “I would so love to do that but I’m busy.”

If you would not “love to do that,” you are being dishonest. This is no basis for a solid relationship of any kind.

When you make excuses in an effort to protect the feelings of others, you are not being genuine. You are not being your True Self. You are hiding.

The more you hide from others, the more you hide from your Self. You cannot live in integrity and authenticity if you do not allow me to be at the centre of your relationship with your Self.

I am at the heart of your integrity.

The more you connect with me, the more you live in integrity. Others will see it, too. You will garner more respect than if you say what they want to hear or pretend to be someone you are not. Even in the smallest ways, when you do this you are doing your Self and everyone else a disservice.

When you live from a place of honesty and integrity, you honour your Self and those around you. Their respect for you will grow, as will your respect for your Self. Therefore, in those awkward moments where the truth is uncomfortable, you will find a way to answer with respect and kindness.

You can pretend I exist in others when you know I do not. You can hide from me in yourself to keep from facing the unpleasant. But when you live like this, others will see it. You will see it, too. You will not live your best life; you will make mistakes that did not need to be made. You will find unhappiness where you could have found joy.

You will keep your Self from discovering the fullness of who you are meant to be and accomplishing all your soul desires to do and experience.

In the end, you cannot hide from me forever. I will confront you. And you will be forced to acknowledge me. My lessons will be painful. The longer you ignore and avoid me, the more painful the lessons will become.

The Simple Truth

The idea of a simple truth is lovely. However, in practical terms there are many occasions upon which the truth is anything but simple. You must learn to navigate these murky waters as best you can.

For example, you might be one in a group of five who experience the same event or situation. Yet when you discuss it later, you will find significant differences in each person’s interpretation of what took place.

This is not because anyone is being dishonest; it is because all of them have their own perspectives. They are being honest; they are telling the truth according to how they viewed that situation.

Sometimes, this can produce disagreements and heated tempers. No one is lying, yet the truth is far from clear or simple.

What matters most is finding me within your Self and living from that truth. This will bring peace of mind and heart, no matter what else happens.

Spiritual Arts Mentor and Master Teacher, Liberty Forrest, guides you in discovering who you are, why you’re here, and how to follow that path.

Read more below.