Hard things don’t acquiesce. Hard things force responses. Hard things don’t move. People have to move around them. In a culture that values softness, compassion, tolerance, and empathy, hard things aren’t popular.
However, in a culture where language isn’t valued or honored as a foundation of trust, saying the hard thing is even more important. The hard things become the new foundation. They are the immovable stones upon which we can stand. They set the standard.
Whatever it is that might keep us from saying the hard thing, isn’t it more important to build trust and reestablish integrity? We don’t have to mean about it. We can do this with love, kindness, and care. We can’t control the responses we will get, but we can be sure we are saying the good and right thing.
Whatever it is, be a builder of trust. Help reestablish integrity. Say the hard thing.