Integrity

A strong moral compass is crucial for individuals. It means making decisions without being influenced by personal gain or emotions. Unfortunately, integrity seems to be lacking in today's society. Being honest and treating others with respect, regardless of their background or beliefs, is becoming rare. We need to focus on teaching and learning integrity, being true to ourselves, others, and to God.

“Integrity is the foundational virtue upon which all other virtues depend. It is the first rung on the character ladder. Where there is integrity, other virtues will follow. Where there is no integrity, other virtues have no chance of developing.” - Sheri L. Dew

Once you have broken someone’s trust, it will always linger in their mind. Trust is crucial in any relationship, and it can take years to build but can be shattered in seconds.  You can trust someone when they do what they say they will do.

There are times when our integrity may be challenged: in school, at work, and in our personal lives. But every time we choose to do the right thing, our integrity is strengthened. We live in a world with a lot of pressures: pressures to outperform, pressure to get ahead using any means possible, and pressure to conform to others' beliefs. Sometimes, with added pressures, we make the decision to let things slide or lower the bar of our integrity.

There is no reason to compromise on our values. If you do, you won’t attract the best people and will be surrounded by a life of misery. I suggest that you decide today to live a life filled with trust and integrity. Surround yourself with honest, hardworking individuals whom you not only trust but can also look up to. This way, you can rest your head on the pillow at night, knowing that you live a life of integrity.