Integrity

A Word

in·teg·ri·ty
/inˈteɡrədē/
noun

1. the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.
2. the state of being whole and undivided

 

A Thought

The state of being whole and undivided… In this world things break and fall apart. Glass shatters, brakes fail, electrical units give out. Things in the physical world are constantly breaking and/or disintegrating. This requires us to stop, clean up messes, fix, repair, rebuild, repurchase, reinforce. Even in our physical bodies, bones break, eyesight fails, gravity pulls, and hair gets lost. Plans don’t turn out “as planned” and things don’t go “our way”. Life can feel broken, and we can also feel broken. Yet there is something inside of us that yearns and longs for wholeness, and I believe that despite the brokenness around us, we can move toward wholeness within us.

 

How do we do this? We begin within of course! We get Clarity about what truly matters to us (self-honesty), we develop the Confidence to believe in ourselves, to know how to pursue what is important, and the Courage to overcome the internal and external barriers we will face. We set our internal compass to move toward wholeness, developing inner strength, and aligning with our values as we go. When we live in this manner, we will still face challenges and obstacles. Things will break, troubles will arise, plans will fail, but somewhere deep inside you, you will know a place of wholeness from which you can draw strength. Living with integrity is a process and a practice, not perfection. You can begin today, and you can be compassionate with yourself as you navigate away from the forces of division, and toward wholeness.

  

An Invitation

For me, one of the ways I derive a sense of wholeness and integrity is through my faith in God. How about you? What connects you to your sense of wholeness? Below are listed five additional ways to live with integrity. Not surprisingly, each one of these items is an area that I partner with my clients in developing. If you are curious about moving toward greater levels of wholeness and integrity, I invite you to schedule a complimentary Discovery Call with me. 

 

Five Ways to Live with Integrity
Source:  The Integral Role of Integrity

 

  • Self-Reflection (spend time identifying and reflecting on your values)

  • Accountability (take responsibility for the things that you can control)

  • Consistency (strive to be the same person, not matter where you are)

  • Honesty and Transparency (be honest and transparent when communicating)

  • Ethical decision-making (consider your choices and potential consequences)

     

“Leading with integrity and empathy requires vision and a connection to your deepest self.”

Karla McLaren

May 2024Jennifer Grote