The Best Policy...

The famous quote by Benjamin Franklin says "Honesty is the best policy". Sounds great, but Ray Blanton got it right when he said "Honesty does not always bring a response of love, but it is absolutely essential to it."

Being a doctor (a responsible one) requires going beyond the shade of inoffensiveness, and telling people the bare naked truth. Sometimes...it hurts. Sometimes...it creates issues. But it matters most when it CHANGES something. If your child was taking drugs (illegal ones?), out of LOVE you would tell them what they needed to hear. They may not like it, but what might happen if nothing was said? In a day and age where hospitals are the #8 leading cause of death in America, a responsible doctor must do EVERYTHING in his power to make sure people don't end up there. In a day and age where over ONE MILLION people are killed by the U.S. medical system, a responsible doctor must do EVERYTHING in his power to make sure that people don't rely on this system for safety. In the end the pain of honesty is outweighed by the joy of lives saved. Tell the TRUTH. While 10 people may get upset with you there's 10 more that will listen. In the end, what decisions those around you make will not matter...only how far YOU went to help them.

PARADIGM SHIFT

Easy way...Tell people what they want to hear, when they want to hear it. You will not offend anyone. You will have lots of friends. You will live a happy life. And when you pass God will pat you on the back and say "you did well for you cared for people and were a good FRIEND to many."

Hard way...Tell people the truth, no matter how painful or forward, and don't ever hold back. You will offend some...but you will LEAD many. You may not have lots of friends...but you will have LOTS of followers. You will live a FULFILLED life. And when you pass...God will say "even though it hurt, thank you for doing what I commanded and LOVING your neighbors as YOURSELF."