Integrety

Today's Quote

It's better to be hated for who you are than loved for who you're not.
from the song 'Help Sombody' by Van Zant (country music artist)

Abraham Lincoln once said - "I desire to to conduct the affairs of this administration that if at the end, when I come to lay down the reins of power, I have lost every other friend on earth, I shall at least have one friend left, and that friend shall be down inside me." Does it really matter what others think of us - as long as we know what we are doing is legal, moral, and ethical. It is sad to say - but some people are still so 'high school' in their thinking, they feel that the need to impress someone else is worth the loss of their own personal integrity.

What is integrity? How do parents teach this concept to their children? Integrity is a principle that encompasses many other principles. The Latin root of this word is 'integer' which means 'whole or complete'. There is no way to force someone into avenues of personal integrity, but by setting the example ourselves, we can improve our children's odds of completing that trait in themselves. We can teach principles of honesty, morality, individual worth and responsibility to our children. Living up to these principles will set them on the path to personal integrity. Integrity is not about impressing people. It is about doing what is right regardless of the personal cost. The meaning of personal integrity has not changed over the years to fit with more modern times. It is the same today as when William Shakespeare wrote over 500 years ago 'to thine own self be true'. Living with integrity means:

· Speaking your truth, even though it might create conflict or tension.
· Behaving in ways that are in harmony with your personal values.
· Making choices based on what you believe, and not what others believe.
· Heeding that still small voice that tells us something is right or wrong.
· Not being a bystander when we know we need to participate.
· Saying 'no' from a point of conviction rather than 'yes' just to please.


Remember: It is not worth an intelligent man's time to be in the majority. The intelligent man is he who sets his goals in line with that which he believes to be right and is true to that aim even if others label him unpopular. For in the end, we will never be able to find comfort in another's justifications if we have been untrue to our own hearts.

These points are difficult to teach unless we possess them ourselves and a child has an established set of principles that he has been taught from his family and by their personal examples. It is my hope that you all have set that example already, whether you have children or not. If you have children, discussed with them your hopes for them to follow your example. No matter how old your children are, your opinion counts with them. Set the example and have the discussion sooner rather than later. You will be glad you did.