Integrity

Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.  If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it.  A single lie destroys a whole reputation of integrity.  It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it.  Integrity is choosing courage over comfort; choosing what is right over what is fun, fast, or easy; and choosing to practice our values rather than simply professing them.  Honesty is saying what you mean, integrity is meaning what you say.

It is the wisdom of the crocodiles, that shed tears when they would devour.  An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.  Being a good person is a little like expecting the bull not to attack you because you are a vegetarian.  One lie is enough to question all truths.  The truth may hurt for a little while but a lie hurts forever.  People appear like angels until you hear them speak.  The trick of a thief crying stop thief, attempts to distort the truth.  Truly evil people don't just hurt others.  They take pride in the pain they cause and then try to blame their victims.  Some people have to pretend you're the bad person so they don't feel guilty about the shitty things they did to you.  Normal people don't go around destroying other people.  Never let someone with the significance of a speed bump become a roadblock in your life.  You don't have to make room for people who cause you pain or make you feel small.  One must have good character, solid principles, and high ethical standards to inspire others to follow.  Stop allowing other people to dilute or poison your day with their words or opinions.  Stand strong in the truth of your beauty and journey through your day without attachment to the validation of others.

If you see someone falling behind, walk beside them.  If you see someone being ignored, find a way to include them.  If someone has been knocked down, lift them up.  Always remind people of their worth.  One small act could mean the world to them.  Don't ever let anyone break your soul.  You have to stand on your own two feet and fight.  There are those who would give anything to see you fall, never give them the satisfaction, hold your head up high, put a smile on your face and stand your ground.  Don't ever promise more than you can deliver, but always deliver more than you promise.  Integrity alone won't make you a leader, but without integrity you will never be one.  You are what you do, not what you say you'll do.  People may doubt what you say, but they will believe what you do.

Make living your life with absolute integrity and kindness your first priority.  Do not do unto others as you would that they should do unto you.  Karma is like a boomerang.  Whatever you throw out into the world comes back to you.  If you wouldn't like it done to you, don't do it to others.  Don't treat people as bad as they are; treat them as good as you are.  Live like a candle that burns itself but gives light to others.

No matter how educated, talented, rich or cool you believe you are, how you treat people ultimately tells all.  Integrity is everything.  It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do.  It is more important than appearances, giftedness, or skill.  It will make or break a company - a church - a home.  The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for the day.  We cannot change our past - we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.  We cannot change the inevitable.  The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have.

Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.  Keep your mind right, your soul straight, and your heart strong.  A straight path needs no bushwhacking.  The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.   (Proverbs 10:9)