I Wouldn’t Say that Out Loud

The other morning in the o’dark thirty crossfit car pool, I was talking about my food. I don’t know why, other than I’m always talking about my food. I’d mentioned that I eat  8 eggs a day. Stefanie’s response, “I wouldn’t say that out loud”

I personally think we all need to either  a)have “that” friend, and/or b) be “that” friend. You know the one. That friend who will alert you to the broccoli in your teeth. The one who’ll tell you about the mascara booger on your face and who’ll answer honestly about the pants and how your butt looks. She/he stops you before you enter into an unhealthy amount of debt or tells you when it’s time to cut your losses in whatever battle you’re having.

Kindness can get confusing. You ever notice that we have a lot of euphemisms we have about indirect communication? “Beating around the bush,” “sugar coat,” “pussy foot,” “tiptoe,” to name a few. Whereas direct communication is generally described as just that, or maybe as being a bitch/dick. Everyone’s tolerance for directness varies, but  to me it is far more unkind to withhold truth.

Is this carte blanche for us all to freestyle and spill our opinions on unwanted victims? No. The guy at the gas station’s day does not need my direct truthful words about how his choices will negatively impact him. But it is a reminder that we need those people in our lives who care enough to say things even if they may hurt. To be clear, I was not hurt by Stefanie letting me know that I sound like a freak for talking about how damn many eggs I eat. I also clearly didn’t head her warning. But, I know that she’s one of those people in my circle who I can trust to be straight with me.  And for that, and the other’s in my life who fill that role, I am thankful. For those that don’t have those people, HMU. Me or one of my associates will be happy to fill that function for you.