transparency

I tend to be a transparent person. This puts some people off. I have found on this journey that I do not have the time or energy to be anything but authentic. Sometimes this has gotten me into trouble. People cannot always handle the truth (Jack Nicholson conveyed this so well).

Today I went to work to do a little bit of training. Mostly this just meant that I was reading training modules on a computer. Eventually this will lead to some hands-on training, I trust. At one point my boss was in the same room with me and he began to share one of the misadventures he experienced at the conclusion of his (rare and much-needed) weekend away.

I was surprised at the candidness of his sharing. It was almost as if he was bouncing the situation off of me to get my input and advice. We have some common roots in our faith which enables him to feel free to discuss things with me on a deeper level.

I simply listened and affirmed his instincts. He seemed to discern things pretty well. However, the misadventure happened to be a topic that has hit close to home for me, and as the conversation progressed he realized that I was pretty knowledgeable on the topic. (I was supposed to be reading my training stuff, remember... the sooner I get through it the sooner I get a raise.)

I have a feeling the conversation is not over. And sometimes it's hard to know how much to share. I know that I would prefer to not be knowledgeable on the topic of his extended family's misadventure. The knowledge represents a very difficult time for me. But it is a time that I would not exchange for the knowledge I have gained. And when my pain can help another, that somehow helps to make it more worthwhile.