Encouragement

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Living in a highly commercialised and busy world as we all do, it can be easy to get caught up in the stampede, to just run with the crowd and forget about any thoughts of integrity. Pressures in the workplace, or from our peers, or those closest to us can cause us to cut corners, forget promises we have made, or do a less than satisfactory job. Businesses having gained big profits from their sales drive sometimes negate on the claims made in their advertising, leaving their customers feeling cheated and angry, and possibly out of pocket.

What these companies lack is integrity, and without that quality they are on the slippery road to failure. Yet living a life devoid of integrity is easy. All we have to do is cheat a bit here, take advantage of somebody there, or deal a dodgy card from the bottom of the pack, and most likely we will finish up having a quiet laugh to ourselves. It is a hollow victory however, because while we may deceive people in this underhand way, the truth is that we are cheating and belittling ourselves as well.

We influence others all the time. When we do it consciously to get what we want then the question of integrity arises. What is our intention for the others involved, whether it is a company or an individual? If it is good and our intention is to benefit the other side then we have integrity. If not it is nothing less than dishonest manipulation.

Once dishonesty comes into the frame, something that makes life special is lost, and that is the lasting happiness that comes from living up to ones most noble principles. If at any time we lower our standards there is always the risk that we live by the rules that others make, and allow them to dictate our actions. If we do that, we forfeit our integrity.

The qualities of honesty and truthfulness are well worth developing, and thankfully they are well within the reach of us all if we will but try. If we truly desire a happy, fulfilling life at home, at our workplace, or in our dealings with all those we come into contact with, then we must forever keep in mind the values and standards we have set ourselves.

The Oxford dictionary defines integrity in these words: “The quality of having strong moral principles: the state of being whole: the condition of being unified or sound in construction.” So, if we wish to gain and maintain the respect of others, and set an admirable example to those who look to us for guidance, then we must be regarded as someone who keeps their promises, and who lives with sincerity, a sense of mission, and most of all with unfailing integrity.

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