Integrity and other myths

Good Morning Everyone,

I will get back to the trust issues another time. Today I want to talk about integrity. Looking up Integrity in the dictionary states that integrity is adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.

The first problem I see is the word "moral". Everybody in this country knows that "morality" is NOT discussed in proper circles because we don't want to offend anyone. Since when has being moral a bad thing?????? The second problem I see is the word "honesty". While most profess to be honest, I would say that 90% of us lie. Therefore integrity in our character is pretty much out the window.

This is all I really wanted to touch on. I don't care about the integrity of a ship or a building, well I do, but not in this context. I want to discuss character. Or the lack thereof.

Have you, like me, found it's easier to believe the bad in people than it is to believe the good? Someone may say they found out that a particular person has been caught stealing money from their place of employment and I have found most would reply with, "doesn't surprise me at all" or "nothing surprises me anymore". When was the last time you heard someone say they heard that a particular person donates a percentage of their time to tutoring others to help read, or donates money to a good cause, or helps out the needy by giving up one night a week of eating out for dinner? I can guarantee it was something you saw on tv about a politician or some well known person trying to convince the world that their contribution makes up for the choices they made in their business dealings.....like I don't know, using slave labor in some poor country instead of using adult workers at a fair wage to help fill the stomachs of their children.

I know I probably have run on sentences and my grammar is all screwed up but somethings you just can't help but express. I don't even know what set me off this morning but it was probably something on the news or Yahoo. It really doesn't matter. I just wish that people would stop and consider how their actions might affect another individual. Just even if they take pause only half the time. The amazing difference we would see in our world. If our yes remained yes and our no remained no. As a parent, I can tell you I made many mistakes in that department. I wish I knew then what I know now.

My request today is to just stop for a minute before you make a decision and ask yourself if your decision will have a negative impact on someone. If your answer is yes, I pray you would reconsider. Integrity is not something you're born with. It's a choice you make everyday, whether to give up your seat on the train for an older person, or someone handicapped. It's the smile in your voice when you help people at the grocery store. It's taking the time to help at all. It's saying no to an "innocent" flirting with someone because it's rude to your spouse. It's treating others the way we ourselves would want to be treated. I read that somewhere, perhaps you can tell me where I read it so I would know where to go for help next time. :-)

Please take care of one another and don't forget to care for yourself. Have integrity in your daily dealings and don't forget to have a moral character. Love, Patty