Some thoughts about living honestly: It is with our own selves that this effort counts. If I am not comfortable and happy with me, I cannot even begin to live honestly outwardly. In the meditations I am doing, I am extending lovingkindness to myself rather than disciplining myself harshly. When my mind wanders, I name the places it goes and very lovingly allow my mind to dwell there for a bit before bringing it back to my breathing or the words I am using for focus. This means recognizing where my mind goes when I am weak and tired. This means recognizing when I use fantasy as an escape from simply being me. How often to I pretend to be someone I am not in the outer world? How often to I “craft” a persona to match or compliment the person I am with rather than being the simple authentic self with all of her flaws and bumps and warts that I am?