Honesty is a tough thing. I'd like to think that always telling the truth and being honest to someone is the best thing to do. But sometimes, you have to pay a price for your honesty. You always hope that your honesty will help someone realize something about themselves, but sometimes in can be the worst thing to do. People will get hurt, inevitably...but I would hope those people would realize that what I said was me only trying to help, not make them feel worse.

For instance, some folks may remember my recent bout of depression and guilt...the multitudes of "don't worry, you'll feel better soon" things people said didn't seem to help one bit. Eventually, it was a dopeslap of honesty that finally helped me to realize what I had become. I then set my mind to making everything better for myself.

As an art student, you have to get used to a lot of very blunt, honest criticism. Sure, having someone completely take down something you've worked so hard on...but then, at least to me, it always becomes like a challenge aimed at me, to do even better--go as far as possible to make everything perfect. You may not even reach that perfection...but sometimes you can get close enough so that it counts. I know that noone is out to hurt me, but sometimes it's that straight dope that gets me motivated to get busy. Though I do know that some people do not realize these kinds of things, and take it badly. Like I said, it's a price you have to pay.

I'm certainly honest when revising people's papers...they don't call me "The Hatchet Man" for nothing! Some folks ignore the advice, some people end up despising you, and other take it upon themselves to improve. You never know how it's going to turn out...as Tolkien said "Even the very wise cannot see all ends..."

--Mbo