Question of the Week: How does living a life of integrity benefit you and those around you?
Have you ever done something that you knew was not "the right thing to do," but nobody was around so you figured you could get away with it? Most of us have done this, some more than others. This doesn't mean you're a bad person, but if you're like me, when you've been in these situations, you've probably felt some guilt afterwards because you knew that you could have behaved differently.
Essentially, Integrity means: Doing the Right Thing, even when nobody's watching, and it is a real foundational element of good character.
For most of us, doing the right thing comes fairly naturally, but for whatever reason, when people aren't around, or it seems like we might be able to get away with it, some of us slip up. Having integrity means that our internal desire to do right is able to overwhelm our desire to let it slide or get away with something. Check out the video below.
Essentially, Integrity means: Doing the Right Thing, even when nobody's watching, and it is a real foundational element of good character.
For most of us, doing the right thing comes fairly naturally, but for whatever reason, when people aren't around, or it seems like we might be able to get away with it, some of us slip up. Having integrity means that our internal desire to do right is able to overwhelm our desire to let it slide or get away with something. Check out the video below.
Consider the following everyday scenarios that you might have found yourself in: Have you ever...
Paid for something in cash and the clerk has given you incorrect change, (more than what you should get?)
Opened a car door in a parking lot and dinged a vehicle beside you?
Been hit fairly in a dodgeball game?
Been unprepared for a big test or exam?
Now the question is, how did you respond in these scenarios? Did you behave in a way that demonstrated integrity? Did you fight the urge to experience a small personal gain in favor of doing what you knew was right? We are not perfect, we all make mistakes and do things that we will regret later on, but maybe if we can learn from some of these mistakes, we can start to practice integrity a little more consistently. Check out the example of integrity shown below...on one of the biggest stages in the world.
Paid for something in cash and the clerk has given you incorrect change, (more than what you should get?)
Opened a car door in a parking lot and dinged a vehicle beside you?
Been hit fairly in a dodgeball game?
Been unprepared for a big test or exam?
Now the question is, how did you respond in these scenarios? Did you behave in a way that demonstrated integrity? Did you fight the urge to experience a small personal gain in favor of doing what you knew was right? We are not perfect, we all make mistakes and do things that we will regret later on, but maybe if we can learn from some of these mistakes, we can start to practice integrity a little more consistently. Check out the example of integrity shown below...on one of the biggest stages in the world.
For your response this week, consider the idea and definition of integrity. If possible, share an example or scenario where you have been put into a situation where you made the choice to act with integrity. Consider the following questions:
How did it make you feel?
How did this affect the others involved?
Is acting with integrity always the easiest thing to do?