“Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren’t always comfortable, but they’re never weakness.”
―Brené Brown
What helps you find the courage to tell the truth?
2 thoughts on “Truth and Courage”
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There are many times when I find myself uncourageous. Just last night I was at our Poetry group at the library; we were reading original or favorite poetry to each other. Part of the discussion developed into “Should we respond to some one about our opinions of the quality of his/her original poetry?” Most of the time, most of us say “It’s very interesting; I liked that part where….”. Is this really the truth…the whole truth? Should I say the whole truth or should I think I am saying something just to encourage that person to continue in the same vein? Am I willing to be seen as a judge? Am I equipped to be one?
Patt, it is not a black or white situation with your poetry group. It depends on a lot of things as to how you respond to your group members’ writings. Is the person sensitive or really open to ideas? If the person is sensitive then I would hold back on criticism. Can you sandwich your comments, I.e.: start with one good compliment, then one question or suggestion, and close with another good compliment. If the person is a really good writer they will probably be open to your questioning a part of their writing. Remember….questioning, not out and out criticism. But then, if the person is not really a good writer, but enjoys your meetings and seems to be satisfied with his writing…. Then I would not pursue pointing anything out to him. I would just keep saying positive things to encourage him to keep trying with his art. Honesty is not always black and white.