Having integrity means doing the right thing in a reliable way…even when NO one is watching. It’s a personality trait that we admire, since it means a person has a moral compass that doesn’t waver. It literally means having “wholeness” of character
There have been many eye opening moments in my past 5 years.
The biggest and the most distressing was my lesson in Integrity or lack thereof.
I was a worldly person…right?
I had lived in 3 continents by the time I was 28…and visited many more countries before and after that.
My ONLY first hand memorable experience with Integrity were my Dad, my 2 brothers and Robbie. And it was a positive experience.
I had come across many liars, thieves, cheaters and con people in my life…but they had never affected my personal space.
I was safe…I lived in a protective bubble.
I had no contrast in my personal experience.
My first personal experience with a person who lacked Integrity was at 51.
I consider myself lucky for that…or do I?
My lack of personal experience with such people was to my detriment.
It rattled my sensibilities to the core…that single experience has tainted my trust in humankind.
How does one negative experience erase 50 years of positive experiences
Was I living in denial?
How do I return to my naive and childlike trust in humankind?
This lesson taught me that I shouldn’t return to that naive place…and I WAS living in denial.
This happens to ALL of us at some point in our lives.
Things only affect us when we care.
We should be careful not to pay negative feelings forward.
Most people project feelings forward…good or bad.
The person I had to deal with was just treating me in the same way he was treated in his past…Without Integrity.
This acknowledgement does not negate or dismiss his behaviors.
I needed to be exposed to such a lesson…to burst my 50 year old bubble.
Now…My my focus is to learn how to not allow one rotten apple rot the whole basket.
I trust myself enough to know that I won’t put my trust and time in people without knowing them and being able to spot and pay attention to red flags.
A person’s Integrity determines his character.
People’s lack of Integrity has NOTHING to do with you…and has EVERYTHING to do with themselves.
You cannot ‘make’ someone act without Integrity.
Integrity is EVERYTHING.
Trust and respect should be earned.
It should not be given away randomly.
Losing trust and respect in someone is often final.
Trust and respect once lost is a hard one to gain back.
If you don’t have Integrity…YOU have NOTHING.
