"Integrity" where has it gone?
So I've been working on finishing up my new office. (Pictures to come when I'm done)
And yesterday, when I was putting books on a shelf, I came across one about "Integrity" and it got me thinking . . .
Where has "integrity" gone in today's world?
I've always taken pride in my own ethics and integrity. But why is it lacking with others?
A Danish author named Lars Lau Thygesen once said . . .
"If you value your "integrity", then be prepared to take a beating from those who have none".
So I decided to research exactly what "integrity" is all about.
The definition is this . . . "Integrity" is the practice of being honest and showing a consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles and values.
In ethics . . . "integrity" is regarded as the honesty and truthfulness or accuracy of one's action.
"Integrity" is usually defined as doing the right thing when nobody's watching. And a person who lacks "integrity" will make decisions based on how it will make them look, rather than how it will benefit others.
Barbara Killinger Ph.D wrote a book entitled, "In Integrity, Doing the Right Thing, For the Right Reason", that stated . . .
"I define "integrity" as a personal choice, an uncompromising and predictably consistent commitment to honor moral, ethical, spiritual and artistic values and principles."
She goes on to state . . .
"In contrast to morality and ethics, which are "externally-imposed values" consensually acknowledged to be for the common good of society, "integrity" is an "internal state of being" that guides us towards making wise moral choices and intelligent ethical decisions. How we choose to respond in any given situation is the testing ground for integrity".
In the conclusion to her book . . . this was her final statement . . .
"One cannot have "integrity" without "compassion"!
In my experiences in life, past and present . . . this statement is so true . . .
So ask yourself these questions every day to monitor your "integrity" . . .
Did you tell the truth today?
Did you say "yes" when you really meant "no"?
Have you promised to do something and then not follow through?
Did you think about the outcome of something you did, before you did it?
Were you understanding of something, rather than judgmental?
Were you too critical, impatient, impulsive or rigid in any of your interactions?
Were you controlling of a situation and not willing to listen to different thinking?
Did you consider the ethical and moral implications of your choices?
How do you rate your self-control?
Did you do the "right thing" despite the fear of negative consequences?
Or, were you tempted by the promise of a reward or a need for acknowledgment?
So before you act . . . ask yourself these simple questions.
And be part of the solution . . . not the problem!
Bring forth . . . your "Integrity"!
As always feel free to contact me here
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