Well I’ve been relegated from my regular column in my work e-newsletter. But I was still keen to write something this month.
I want to talk about integrity. I guess maybe it’s something people are thinking of a bit as they try and decide who to vote for in next week’s elections. I wonder whether some people might ask their local representative to have “integrity” without really considering what it means or whether they have any of it themselves!
Some people might think it means to behave the same way all the way through your life. But let’s be honest who does that? Who acts the same at an important job interview as they do when having a beer or a glass of wine with a close friend? Or who behaves the same with their boyfriend/girlfriend in front of his/her parents as you do when you’re alone?
This doesn’t make us two-faced. In fact it makes us aware of the situations and the people we’re around. Sometimes it’s wise to consider others before acting in a way that maybe inappropriate or offensive to them.
So what is integrity then? I guess one way of looking at it would be “doing what you preach” – not expecting others to meet up to standards that you’re unable to reach yourself. Let’s face it… no one likes to be caught out in that way though.
But I have an even more difficult suggestion of what it means to have integrity. And unfortunately it probably means a standard that I am unable to reach myself! I think that’s okay though. What if integrity is making the “right” choice even if no one would have seen you make the “wrong” anyway?
Our culture often seems to suggest that if you can get away with something then it’s alright. Having an affair is not so bad as long you don’t get caught. Driving over the speed limit is alright as long as it’s not past a speed camera or a police car. Even, dare I say it, there’s nothing wrong with downloading or watching illegal copyrighted videos on the internet.
That’s an interesting one. People will often argue that no one gets hurt. And although the government may start to make policies to block such activity it’s certainly a VERY long way off from people easily getting reprimanded for such activity. Those who watch these videos argue that TV and movie stars get paid too much anyway. (Even if they do, what about all the other staff that help create these films and TV shows?)
Anyway my intention was not so much to target any one activity in particular. Each person needs to judge for themselves what is acceptable and by what standard they want to try to measure to. My advice is just to consider raising that bar just a little bit? Because maybe our character is not just about who we are seen to be but is affected by what goes on behind closed doors, and even maybe what goes on inside our minds.
An impossible task? I think not. Have hope… there is grace, forgiveness and help if you need it. I know a Man who can.
