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Integrity. According to my dictionary it has three descriptions: 1. Soundness of moral principle and character; uprightness; honesty. 2. The state of being whole, entire, or undiminished. 3. Sound, unimpaired, or perfect condition.
In my experience of life, a person’s integrity is the most appealing of all human qualities. Their integrity allows me to know who they are, to trust them, to communicate with them and to like them.
Of the three definitions above, I like number 2 – ‘The state of being whole, entire, or undiminished.’ Every time you tell a lie, you are out of integrity. Every time you use your position to mock someone, or take advantage, or be mean, or whatever game you play with people, you are out of integrity. Every time you do not keep your word, every time you arrive late or not at all, every time you keep something that you borrowed, every time you break the rules, every time you steal, every time you throw trash on the ground, every time you make out to be someone that you are not, you are out of integrity.
Each one of these things eats away at who you really are – who you could be – diminishes you. Sometimes we feel guilty or regretful or worried, or are ashamed of ourselves. Sometimes we can meet people who do all of the above and it doesn’t seem to bother them at all. I bet you don’t like that person much. To live your life with integrity allows you to be the best person you could ever be – whole, entire and undiminished.
Does this sound hard? Not at all. Try it.
Spend one whole day living with your personal integrity as the highest priority. Get up with plenty of time to be organized for the day, be early, don’t say things that you don’t mean, be completely honest, don’t mess around, don’t break any rules, don’t do gossip and most importantly, be yourself at all times. In other words, don’t do anything that you know you shouldn’t do.
You may discover at the end of such a day that you feel pleased with yourself and it was a good day for you. If you live your life this way you will be well thought of by others because you are reliable, honest, trustworthy and most of all, you are authentic, the real thing, the real you.
To live your life with integrity and have that as your guide is not easy. Temptation is always there. Personal integrity is one of the greatest gifts you can give to yourself and others in your life. You know that it’s true. #
by Ms. Janet Eason, Art Teacher
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