Posts Tagged ‘Integrity’

‘Wisdom tends to grow in proportion to one’s awareness of one’s ignorance.’ Anthony De Mello

The over-riding and enduring evidence of someone who is wise are the foundations of integrity and humility that have been forged throughout the years within the fabric of their beings.

The more they grow the less they realize they know. They are in no need of self promotion. They have no desire to raise themselves above others. They flow seamlessly between those surrounded by abundance and those surrounded by lack. They are as comfortable in the company of paupers as they are in the company of kings.

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‘Talk the walk, then walk the talk.’

People don’t like associating with hypocrites. Particularly, if you a hold a position of leadership, followers want to know that you’re not just a bunch of words. They want to be assured that what you talk, you walk.

Now let’s be totally honest with each other. None of us is entirely faultless, but I have found that in raising three children I was given the greatest opportunity through the years to develop the practice of lining up my walking with my talking. Children don’t miss a thing.

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One definition given for the word discretion is this: free will – the power of making free choices unconstrained by external agencies.

This speaks to me of freedom: the ability to act or judge on one’s own. The ability to make wise choices or decisions, and the freedom to make one’s own judgments.

I learnt this as a teenager when many of my so-called friends took up the habit of smoking. I also learnt it when these same individuals decided to use illicit drugs, engage in immorality, and choose to follow whatever the crowd was endorsing at the time. I chose another path.

However, to my utmost surprise, I then stumbled across the same pressure and resistance in religious circles, where restrictions were placed upon all from exploring certain truths found within God’s word. These were the ones, because of tradition, that they wanted to overlook or dust under the carpet. And at that time I had the choice of either satisfying the status quo, or following my heartfelt convictions. Once again I chose another path.

But what liberty comes with being true to oneself. And what persecution accompanies it at times. But what exhilaration rises within your chest as you know because you know that to be true to yourself operates on a much higher plane than that which is imposed by the masses.

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The final speech of our life will be the one that is remembered throughout the generations. And you and I will spend a lifetime preparing that dissertation.

So what thought, what planning, what platform are you creating for that final analysis of a life lived on planet earth?  For the rehearsal is participated in every day that we breathe, with every word uttered and with every act expressed.

Many discard the moments as if they are only scraps that can be easily tossed aside. But let me enlighten you by revealing to you that every second wasted is as a diamond lost.

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The Webster’s Dictionary defines integrity as ‘unimpaired moral principles; honesty; soundness; the quality of being whole or undivided.’

To me it is all about being what you believe and doing what you say.

A man or woman of integrity fulfils what he or she promises. They are the ones who thank others. They are the ones saying please. They are the ones who show respect to others. They treat others as they themselves would desire to be treated.

For if you say one thing and yet do another you are divided. And as Abraham Lincoln once stated, that a house divided against itself cannot stand.

It’s keeping your word even if it’s not convenient, or it may even be somewhat uncomfortable. It’s turning up on time for appointments. It’s being reliable and trustworthy.

Integrity shows up in the little things. And if you take care of the little things you will never stumble when asked to do the BIG things.

It’s all about integrity. It’s saying sorry when you are wrong. It’s about not blaming others, but rather taking the wrap for what mistakes were made.

It’s not about being perfect, because none of us can be that, but it’s about being real. It’s about whatever you and I are like in the dark is what you and I are in the light.

There is no difference. There is no mask. There is no disguise. It’s the real deal. It’s the true you and the true me – loving and serving others. Lifting others. Inspiring others.

It’s about defining our values and then aligning our priorities to fit within the guidelines of those values.

This is integrity.

Let it be your guide and companion throughout your lifetime. For with a life lived with integrity comes safety and security for the longrun. And that longrun is called ‘our life here on planet earth and throughout eternity’.