ASK me!

I don't like when my integrity gets challenged. I've decided that.
First reaction, straight out of the gate -- defensiveness. Claws come out, I can feel myself flush with the 'oh BOY am I getting angry', and I'm doing all I can do to say what's 'true' in the most 'necessary and kind' manner I can muster up. I'd make a horrid politician--I can still be internally reactive though I'm pretty good at 'restraint of pen and tongue'.

I got a chance to say what was 'necessary, kind and true', in the kindest way that I could. I also got an opportunity to go back and admit to the person I was defensive and that I GET defensive when it's about my integrity. If I lie, I'm the first to come back and tell the truth. My 'omissions of truth' aren't something most folks bother to come back to tell the truth about. I, however, am pretty disciplined in giving that part--only cuz I've had to practice it over and over and over again. I'll omit the truth if it's about keeping confidence ONLY if that's the 'right' thing to do. I know the difference between keeping confidences and keeping secrets.

Yesterday I was part of an 'investigative interview'. Questions got asked of me--but they failed to ask the question ABOUT me TO me. Had they asked, I would have given an honest answer. Because they didn't ask, I wasn't given an opportunity TO be honest...which disturbs me. I can assume I wasn't asked because I have a degree of credibility with the interviewer. I'm concerned it wasn't asked TO me because they didn't anticipate I'd answer honestly.

Talk TO me not about me.
Ask.
Don't assume I'm not credible or that I'm so INcredible that I'd never make a professional error.

Great.
JUST great.
*sigh*