I don't trust transparency. There, I admit it.

I'm done with transparency because I learned a long time ago how to use it to get my way or to impress people with my openness. Whether in relationships or communication, my flesh loves to manipulate the other person or the audience with juicy and intriguing stories about how I've failed. But I only give them enough to get what I want--attention, sympathy, esteem. You name it, I can come up with a transparent illustration to get it out of…