I highly value honesty; I was largely dragged-up on lies, and the acidic scars from my childhood: I now wear with pride. It only occurred to me, in recent years, that I should feel proud: self-love strengthens the soul.

Yet, whilst my childhood was tainted by deceit; I’ve always been blessed by possessing self-honesty. It is the foundation of positive mental health. It was also instilled in me by my wonderful late father.

Perhaps because I have a disability, I’ve had to be brutally honest about my physical abilities. Or, maybe since I was a parent- child to my younger siblings; I got used to harnessing them to honesty: anchoring them to secure ground, stabilizing their wobbly boats.

I’m good at self-deprecation too, though I now steer away from being unkind to myself. It’s simply old-fashioned humour that helps to bounce the day away with melodic childish giggles. It is a well-oiled mechanism which provided hope in my informative years…

I’m honest about my feelings too, in spite of the fact that for chunks of my life, they’ve been hidden- like a hedgehog under the safety of a leafy mound. It was a form of protection of course. But with my closet friends I have always been fearless about stating my honesty. It was an attribute I shared, and still do, with my oldest friend Sam.  We bonded over a hot chocolate machine, the day she started at my school. We later went on, to work together for my dad, and I’m incredibly blessed that we are aunties to one-another’s children.

Where I had little support at home with my disability: Sam stepped in. She made me exercise my arm daily, telling me that if I didn’t that it would become curly. But we were only sixteen when we lived together in the alluring West-end of London; so, lifting the old horse-hair cushion didn’t always take priority. My arm is indeed curly now, but due to her honesty, less so than it was two years ago: because that’s the length of time, that I’ve finally started exercising…

Honesty is like a focused camera lens. You get a clear picture, and so you have a handle on reality. Armed with it, it’s a personal tool with which you can face-up to your fears and grow personal strength.

As we embark on a New Year, and we say goodbye to the media -driven delusions, hype and illusions, we often find ourselves reflecting on our aspirations. The decorations are packed away and we’re left with a stark new, yet exciting: twelve fresh months ahead in which to contemplate.

If self – honesty has alluded you, then remember that if you’re a good soul, that it’s your human right to live a full and happy life. When we kid ourselves about any issue, we’re only fooling number one.

Honesty is the unadulterated truth of you. It is one set of things to remember and its power is almighty.

Never be afraid about being honest, to others as well as yourselves. Invest in some solitude to think about what you want to change and improve on: just for you, in 2024.

When we equip ourselves with an honest standpoint, we become free and liberated. It is like re-potting a cherished plant, and you will feel yourselves flourish and thrive.

I hope you find this helpful. With SUNNY New Year wishes, Emma x