Hello Everyone

Our world, at every level, is being challenged by people with a warped sense of integrity.  So what is integrity?  It took me a while to find a definition of integrity that captured my imagination and challenged me. The one I finally settled on is from Landmark Education. "Nothing hidden, being truthful and honest, doing complete work, working from an empowering context, and doing very well what you do; doing it as it was meant to be done or better, and without cutting corners.

"In other words, HONORING ONE'S WORD: Doing what you know to do, doing what you said you would do and on time, doing what others would expect you to do even if you haven't said you would do it, and saying when you are not doing this as soon as you realise you won't be doing it or won't be doing it on time."

As I observe what is happening around the world, in our own political system and not to mention my own challenges in life, it takes something to live with integrity. Even my temptation to not exercise because it is raining challenges my integrity.  If I said I was going to exercise, then the only power I have in the world is in my word. The temptation to sleep in or avoid the gym begs the question ‘what is my word worth?'

Like many of you I am wondering what definition many of our political leaders have for integrity.  How could a country not pay its debts?  How could a favoured politician retract a promise? Or worse,  rort the system?

It seems like we could all benefit by being held to account.  Ah, but that means we would all have to confront the occasions when we ourselves had little respect for integrity!  One way to do this is to accept that we are all human and sadly perfection evades us.  But we can take advantage of the various integrity compasses and spiritual supports available to us in the community.

Till next time mailto:Roz@roztownsend.com" Roz@roztownsend.com