Integrity, Do You Have It?

Ever thought about the word "integrity" and what it means to you?  Probably not. I didn't really until lately.

According to Wikipedia, it's "a concept of consistency of actions, values, methods, measures, principles, expectations and outcomes...the quality of having an intuitive sense of honesty and truthfulness in regard to the motivations for one’s actions. Integrity can be regarded as the opposite of hypocrisy, in that it regards internal consistency as a virtue".

And then there was what I heard growing up.  My dad would say something like "Drie, at the end of the day, your integrity is all you have left".  I think he meant that when we're all gone, we'll be remembered by the core of who/how we were - how we treated other people, how we reacted to situations, how we helped others and made decisions. This was in addition to our normal 3 rules for the Berlin Girls:

1. Be good girls.
2. Get good grades.
3. Get through high school without a broken heart.

My dad's a pretty smart and amazing guy and he's taught me a lot about the world, life, business, myself - oooohhhh, how the list could go on and on. He's a man that prides himself on always doing the right thing.  And here's the kicker...

NO MATTER HOW HARD IT IS.

The Fray summed it up kinda nicely when they said "sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same".

It's true. Sooooo true.

It's so easy to do the right thing when times are good, everyone agrees and aligns, and people are happy. But when people don't agree, things are in disarray and you have an objecting opinion, the thing that CAN set you apart is your integrity. [IF you choose the right path].

Do you speak your mind? Are you honest? Do you stay true to who you are at your core?

That depends on your integrity. What would you do?

I choose to speak up and be true to myself.  I'll do the right thing not only for me, but for others.  After all, the world never was changed by someone who sat around doing status quo!

Now go change something today.  [er, tomorrow since I'm posting this kinda late]  :)

"Do the right thing even when no one is watching".