Do you ever get frustrated that it seems like you can never get a straight answer from anyone?

Recently, I asked my child’s pediatrician about safety rumors I heard around the H1N1 Live virus nasal spray vaccine. Her answer was more like a dance than a thoughtful consideration of my question. She never addressed the actual question and the only information that she would divulge was that her office did not have the vaccine available, and that therefore, I should get the vaccine through the school when it was offered. The information did not in any way relate to the question I posed about the safety of the vaccine. I was frustrated and irritated that she disregarded my concern, and that I couldn’t get a “real” answer, most likely, because the office had decided it was not in their best interest to argue the safety of the vaccine – only to recommend it.

This experience got me thinking in general about getting “real” answers and my thinking lead me to ponder how often we don’t even give ourselves “real” answers. How often do you tell yourself what you want to hear – and not what you need to hear? Are you honest with yourself about your health habits, your diet, your activity level, your stress level, your finances, your relationships, your future? Have you ever been guilty of answering your physician in a way that implies you exercise regularly and you have an excellent diet, when you know that’s not quite right? (Therefore all that’s left to do is take the cholesterol and blood pressure medication. Really?)

Do a reality check. Looking at that picture of reality – whether it’s a picture of your health or some other aspect of your life; look with a gentle curiosity, not a critical or judging spirit – What is that picture telling you?

They say the truth will set you free. What would happen if you were more honest with others, and more importantly, yourself?