When we try to speak the truth, several things may happen, including:

1. The truth can out too strongly if we feel we won’t otherwise be heard.
2. We may not really communicate the full power of what we mean, so the other person doesn’t get it (or take our own feelings seriously enough).
3. If we hold back and try to spare someone else’s feelings, we end up hurting them more in the end.
4. We may have a fear of being judged. Or not heard. Or disregarded.
5. We may worry about saying too much, or not know what is appropriate under the circumstances (and don’t want to have verbal diarrhea).
6. And, when we try to tell ourselves the truth, we may judge ourselves or think it’s not okay to be so up front.

Part 4: Solutions.