As I write this, a wry chuckle escapes me. I just figured out the answer to something that puzzled me greatly for a long time, hurt me even. What was it? Well, it’s personal. Let’s just say there’s closure now.

I wonder why it is that people lose their nerve when it comes to telling the truth. Why do falsehoods trip off the tongue at 90 words per minute but the truth causes a sudden stutter? I find it intriguing. I mean, if you can be creative about the way things are, you should also have the guts to be real about the way things actually are. If you can pledge your loyalty but find yourself unable to keep that pledge, you should have the honour to say so. If you make a promise you can’t keep, admit it. In a throwback to an earlier post, say what you mean and mean what you say. Have the courtesy to let others know when you change your mind about something they’re involved in. Tell them where they stand. Or is it just too hard to do?

I’m a big fan of knowing where I stand with people. Are we cool? Are we friends, frenemies, acquaintances, not even on speaking terms? I like to know these things, if nothing else just so I don’t make a fool of myself by saying or doing something unnecessary or even, heaven forfend, inappropriate. Besides, who wouldn’t want to know if the status quo has changed or not? Would you rather be miserable over being abandoned by someone who doesn’t care about you anymore but is too chicken to say so, or would you prefer to know for a fact that things have changed so you can move on with your own life? I opt for the latter!

When you still think you have a shot, you keep trying to make it work. You keep trying to make amends. When you know though, that you were just faffing about and the other person chose to keep you in limbo as opposed to say what the real deal is, you’re free. You don’t have to stick around where you’re not wanted, right? Waaay too much self-respect for that. You deal with the pain, if any, and you make room for other people in your life. Other people who respect you enough to be honest with you, who won’t make you worry about them (like, are they OK?) when they should actually be seeking your pardon for theirwrongdoing. Bitter? Who, me? Not at all. Just calling it like I see it. Get your act right, people. Kudos to you if you already have. If you haven’t, though, what on earth are you waiting for?