I’ve never been good at hiding my thoughts and feelings.

NEVER.

When I was  a child my mother used to call me Poker Face. Not because I had one but because I didn’t.

If I didn’t like someone or something, everyone knew it.

Not much has changed in the past few decades.

I’ve tried pretending. I’ve tried changing the subject. I’ve even tried wearing sunglasses during  meetings so people couldn’t see my eyes roll.

But regardless, in the end I feel compelled to be genuine. In other words, eventually I always end up letting people know what I REALLY think.

Not that I’m trying to be mean.  I generally trying to be helpful by being truthful.

The problem is, a lot of people don’t appreciate it.

I  used to worry about that, but, like with so many other things that come with age,  I’m over it.

Maybe that’s because I’ve had friends tell that they always know where they stand with me.  And if they don’t want to know? Than they probably aren’t really my friend anyway.

Maybe it’s because when I give a compliment, it comes from the heart. It  isn’t intended just to ingratiate myself to others.

Or maybe it’s because  I’m afraid if I hold my true thoughts in, I’ll eventually implode.  At least it feels that way.

But just because I’m o.k. with how I am, that doesn’t mean it’s easy to be who I am.

I’m constantly battling to survive in a world where appearances  are often appreciated more than reality.  Where people ask for feedback when all they really want is a compliment.  And where people prefer to complain behind someone’s back while pretending everything is fine to their face.

But I understand you can’t change people or systems overnight.  So all I can do is encourage people to at least be honest with me. Since I’m so blunt, I expect others to be the same.

If I ask for feedback, I want genuine feedback.. not just approval.  If I say or do something ridiculous? Let me know.  And if I ask  if my outfit makes me look fat?  Consult with my husband.

He’ll tell you the truth about how well I  do when people are  brutally honest with me.