“Integrity is choosing your thoughts and actions based on values rather than on personal gain”
These very sound and definitive words by an Author Unknown, speak directly and unequivocally to the vital importance of choosing to live life guided by Integrity. Integrity is that deeply embedded virtue, which only relatively few people are able to exhibit, where they choose to live a life motivated strictly by a determined need to be honest and truthful about, and to themselves, and not guided by personal gain or advantage. As the quotation quite clearly implies, integrity is the fundamental principle of living a life which requires the highest level of personal responsibility that provides maximum benefit for the entire milieu, rather than just to oneself.
The word itself, derived from the Latin word, “integritas,” implies an action that was complete, consistent, unchanging, and upright. This perfectly describes the true image of a person of integrity, since to truly fulfill the strict criteria requires that the person live implicitly by a firm set of values and moral standards that are based on honesty, truth and justice, that his relations with others and with his total environment be based on openness and correctness, and not on self-satisfaction or on personal gain. In short, he is committed always to make the right decisions, irrespective of their subsequent impact on the ultimate outcome. In individual terms, integrity demands that one tries to wisely make right from wrong choices, to set standards that are consistent and predictable, and to always choose honesty and truth in everything, while at the same time trying to persuade others to do the same, by example and by deed.
A person who chooses to live his life guided by the principle of integrity is one who is committed to a consistent standard of behavior that he tries to follow throughout his lifetime, and does not allow any negative prevailing circumstances interfere with their execution. It does not mean that his decisions and actions are necessarily always correct or appropriate, but even when they are wrong, he would still stand firm that his actions were honest and in good faith. Without doubt, a life dominated by integrity, secures the development of strong, trustworthy bonds with the people around, and ensures acceptance and respect from everyone, even when they disagreed. This is precisely the reason which led Steven R. Covey, the respected American educator, and expert on personal development to declare:
“A life of integrity is the most fundamental source of personal worth.”
But integrity is neither inherited nor is it familial, and it is not passed on from generation to generation by virtue of a common gene. The reason that it does however appear to be passed on in families is far more related to the behavioral influences within the family rather than to some genetic component. But when it is present it forms the backbone of an individual’s character and the foundation on which he conducts his whole life. It never appears as a moment inspiration, but develops slowly and deliberately as the person progressive grows from positive experiences, learning and responsibility. The more one is exposed to high standards of behavior, the better he becomes in establishing his own standards. The opposite equally applies, where a person who is exposed constantly to negative behavior, is not ever likely to choose a life of integrity.
In addition, there is no doubt that the eventual success of a person who desires to live with integrity is heavily influenced by the environment he finds himself in. It undoubtedly becomes more difficult to survive without criticism and rejection in a milieu that has no respect for it. This has become especially so in our current societies, where, quite unlike the past, in our determined haste to achieve as much as we can, we are giving much more emphasis an acceptance on performance and influence than on integrity, and as a result we are producing a generation of people of questionable characters, and results that leave much to be desired.
To develop integrity in everything one does is a virtue that is neither easy to achieve, nor does it come naturally. It fundamentally demands, first a thorough understanding of the reasons for a life committed to honesty and truth, especially where everyone else around appear to be happily engaged in manipulating for their own gain. There are several major areas of activity where the true value of integrity can be seen and appreciated by everyone as areas that offer opportunities to build character. They are also the areas that can become the greatest source of temptation to others who choose to reject it. Clearly, to be truly honest to others requires that you be true to yourself, have honest intentions, and be constantly aware of making the right choice. The process begins essentially by taking the time to listen to yourself, and be guided by your inner voice to do what you know is right, and not be influenced by what is more convenient or expedient. The second area involves being conscious of your environment. By establishing good relationship with family and friends who themselves, exhibits high integrity, will serve to reinforce your own behavior and encourage a life of honesty and truth. Equally, by learning to identify and reject those who choose to be deceitful, and be aware of their activities, you could guard yourself from the pain and disappointment that will follow. The third area of importance is having the necessary humility to try to learn by example. So often we have examples all around but we fail to acknowledge them because of the notoriety created by those who attract attention by deceit. No one but you alone are capable of deciding how you must conduct your life. You alone can be the judge of your own destiny, to gauge how far you are prepared to go, and how much effort you are prepared to expend.
But you can only assess your intensity by looking at all your activities as they unfold on a day-to-day basis, and never by trying to compare them with others around. In the end, the decision must rest with yourself. For unless you are comfortable with truth and honesty, irrespective of the final outcome, your intentions, however honorable they may be, are wasted. Your integrity can only be manifested by your willingness to be true to your values and to the way you fulfill your commitments, as well as your promises. But all of this will have been of no value if it is not consistent and predictable. Of all the attributes that come together to make the image of a man, nothing can ever match the satisfaction derived from a life dominated by integrity and good character. Nor can anyone force you to make choices against your will, nor can they influence you to act against your will. Perhaps, the English statesman and former prime minister Sir Winston Churchill, in his classic manner, summarized this most effectively when he said:
“With integrity, nothing else counts.
Without integrity, nothing else counts.”
- Nothing more need to be said to fully explain the absolute impact of integrity in any one. For without doubt, a life dominated by true integrity provides a cloak of truth and honesty that rises far above any other form of interactions man can devise.
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