Integrity: Noun.
Definition: The quality of being an honest person,with strong moral principles.Being whole and complete.
Synonyms: Honorable,noble,trustworthy,sincere,good character. (further details can be found via the Cambridge English Dictionary - notes/references from official website: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/integrity )
OKAY, so as easy as it is to google the meaning of Integrity,we want to go a little deeper.
We all know doing certain things can be deemed good such as; helping people cross the street,giving money to a homeless person,volunteering at a food drive, to name a few. However what separates a good deed and truthful integrity is the intent behind it. Anyone can do something nice for someone else in order to be seen as a good person, its the lack of ethics behind a persons intentions which takes away from the 'act of integrity'. Often we see people posting online and advertising their 'heroic' actions,to gain validation and a 'good Samaritan' status. Doing something nice for someone only because someone else can see or with the intent behind it being about personal gain,distracts away from integrity.
The meaning of the word is easily lost today,it all comes down to a choice,you choose what actions you want to take. Ultimately that reflects what kind of person you are and your character right?
Lets dig a little deeper...
How do we spot a person with integrity ?
(slightly trickier than a game of 'whos who')
In order to learn how to act with integrity and instill this quality,we must first look inside ourselves and question our own moral principles.
Are our moral principles and values ethical ?
Be truthful
Listen with an open mind. (no judgement)
Cause and effect (think about what impact your actions could have one others)
Don't blame others for mistakes you have made.
Feelings of entitlement & privilege play a big part in Integrity,often those in positions of power feel a sense of importance over others. Acknowledgment of time and demands of others is unseen to those who believe they have a superior presence to others,almost as if people should depend on them.
Time: a key factor in integrity.
people who sacrifice real time out of their own lives in order to help others and keep it a long term commitment are people who practice integrity daily.
The dedication of not only time but also effort,shows how much a person really values the importance and interest of other peoples lives and circumstance in which they are trying to better.
More than face value; finding an understanding of why people are in certain circumstances that need bigger help. Understanding peoples stories with an intent to help/change, rather than for an opportunistic Instagram post.
We are neither born with or without Integrity,
Integrity is something we learn to implement in our lives,through our behavior and treatment of others.
in order to do this we must practice with intent, discover the reason behind why you are doing something, is it an ethical decision ?
Respect,honesty,and kindness are key moral principles in which can help us learn to have more integrity.
Ways to practice integrity:
Don't take advantage of people (use power for good not against others)
Respect rules and honor boundaries put in place
Share
Be kind
Listen to understand not to respond
TIME: most importantly make time,make people a priority.
Simply put,treat people how you wish to be treated yourself. Love and respect they way you wish to be by others. Its all based on kinetic effect, one good thing has a knock effect for another good thing. All actions both good and bad have karma with them that follows, the choice of what karma you shall receive,however good or bad,is up to you.
Got Integrity ?
