Work new muscles

What does honesty say?

many self-critical voices
lurking in shadows
I have learnt not to
pay attention to these
whispering voices
self-supporting
self-aggrandising

not a kind or generous
word
between them.

When did honesty
equate with harshness?
Does it have to be so?

Too much negative brain-bias
a default setting
a muscle memory

Let’s work new muscles
compassion
generosity
kindness

feeding a soul
instead of
depleting it.

Choose
to bring these
centre stage
choose
a loving approach.

We are all vulnerable
all easily hurt
building facades
protecting ourselves.

Harshness shores up
the fake outer
kindness dissolves the façade
strengthening the inner
each generous, kind word
a pebble
building a solid structure
a compassionate soul.

Does honesty
equate with harshness?

It doesn’t have to be so.

© 15 Oct 18