NYSC Morning Meditations

Tuesday, December 6th, 2023

HONESTY
Growing up, we always heard them say honesty is the best policy.

But what is honesty? And why is it the best policy?

To be honest is to be true even if the truth will hurt me.
To be honest is to be right even when no one will notice the wrong.
To be honest is to be fair even if I can gain from being unfair.
To be honest is to allow my actions be influenced only by what is true.
To be honest is to be sincere, loyal, truthful, and trustworthy.

As an individual or as a nation, we cannot claim honesty towards others without first being honest with ourselves. We must realize our honest truth and identify our faults and failings rather than create a false, perfect image of ourselves that don'texist. We must embrace who we are and our flaws, recognise what is wrong and what we must change.

We must also know ourselves better. We must understand what we are capable of and what we can do well. For it is in understanding our strengths and weaknesses that we embrace our honest human truth.

As a nation, we must raise honesty above ourselves. A honest Ibo man will not give the job to his unqualified kin if an Itsekiri woman is the most suited for a job. A honest Yoruba driver will not endanger the lives of his passenger knowing his bus tyres are worn out.

Our elders say that no matter how fast the lie runs, the truth will catch up some day. The thing about honesty is that no matter how clever, successful, or smart dishonesty can be, someday the dawn will break and the truth will stare at you in face. What will you do about it then?

This is why honesty is the best policy. It’s as sure as the sun rising and setting, as sure as the 6am and 6pm military bugle. It will always remain the truth. The lie and liar will only keep changing and adapting to blend in. Such stress for a truth that will still prevail.

So today, I choose,
At all times, and in all places,
Today and always,
I choose to be honest even if there is an easier way out.
Because honesty is the best policy a man/ woman can adopt for life.

Written by:
Ogunleye Iyanuoluwa Abiola
LA/23C/5302 for 2 Platoon

Read by:
Nwanne Victoria Chidinma
LA/23C/7292 for 2 Platoon