Are You In Or Out Of Integrity? Part 1
Published on 6 Feb 2008 at 8:13 am.
13 Comments.
Filed under Business Development, Feature Articles, Personal Development Strategies, Spirituality & Inspiration.
One of the first places I work with clients is having a conversation about core values. Most people identify integrity as being a core value for them. It might be one of yours too!
If you relate to the value of integrity, I’m going to write several posts on this topic. Here’s the first.
What does integrity mean?
Integrity is the word we use to describe a state of wholeness (being in harmony with “who” we really are”) and refers to how our personal life system is set up and if it works effortlessly. For some it means keeping promises; being congruent in thoughts, words, and deed.
To be our best, we must be whole: that is, be responsible for our actions and inactions, respond fully to the situations andexperiences being offered to us, honor our bodies and our selves and respect the realities of the physical universe.
One usually starts with questioning right vs. wrong (instead of what is my real truth, my values etc?) There is no universal right vs. wrong, only what is right vs. wrong for each individual, assuming they are who they really are.
The next step is installing a higher degree of personal integrity into their life, which leads a person to a state of wholeness.
Get Adequate Integrity for you
Everyone has a unique degree of integrity required to be themselves.
Since we are all at different distinct points along the path of development, there are distinct integrity requirements at each point that permits us to evolve to the next point. As we continue to grow, the inner need to be in harmony (true to ones’ self) becomes a driving force. When we are out of integrity with ourselves, we feel “ out of sync.” and we can feel that have abandoned our true nature – our spirit.
We can experience this as self-sabotage, pain, anger, judgments, depression….
Integrity is the result of having the following 3 conditions in one’s life:
1. Having no unresolved matters – one is clear of the past and present. That is, they have corrected any wrongs, communicated where needed to clear the air- address conflicts, disturbances, withholding, etc., made personal changes to make life work well and fully handle every task and situation that arises.
2. Alignment and Balance – one’s life is aligned with one’s true values, actions are based on what is true (not a fantasy or delusion) and commitments are congruent with one’s vision or purpose.
3. Responsibility – being responsible for what one creates and attracts (by choices and actions) without blaming, complaining and becoming the victim or the martyr, handling situations that arise and making adjustments to create and attract different results (stop creating the same problems).
Benefits of Restoring Integrity
1. More energy and an effortlessness to achieve the desired results.
2. You will attract nice and more fulfilling people into your life who are reliable, empowering, loving and inspiring, consistently.
3. Restoring integrity is a process that enriches your life. Enjoy it!
Say tuned for Part 2!
Cheers,
Lorraine
www.powerfull-living.biz
PS. Click here to access your copy of the Aligning with Destiny audio and receive two free downloads to help you restore integrity with your soul.
Pamir on 6 Feb 2008 at 10:29 am: 1
Great subject Lorraine! I like to look up word origins…Middle English integrite, from Old French, from Latin integritas, soundness, from integer, whole, complete.
That sense of wholeness is unbeatable. It’s an essential component of personal peace. It’s difficult to be at peace when you’re giving power away and being out of integrity is a sure way to do that!
Al at 7P on 6 Feb 2008 at 10:43 am: 2
Hi Lorraine - this is a great article. In today’s world of instant gratification, seems like integrity is a concept that is outdated and forgotten.
Looking forward for part 2
lorraine on 6 Feb 2008 at 11:49 am: 3
Thanks for the feedback on origins Pamir.
Boy you are so right about feeling at peace. For me, when I am not in full integrity, I experience a sense of something poking at me to get my attention so that I will restore that integrity. I’m grateful for the discomfort. It keeps me aligned with who I am!
Thanks for stopping by!
Cheers
Lorraine
lorraine on 6 Feb 2008 at 11:52 am: 4
Hi Al,
So true about integrity seeming to be out of people’s perception. For those who are becoming more conscious and self-aware, the potential to see that dis-connect is more apparent. I hope my article posts stirs the pot.
Parts 2 and 3 will be posted within the next 5 days. Let me know what you think!
Cheers,
Lorraine
Barry on 6 Feb 2008 at 6:14 pm: 5
This is a great conversation!! My colleagues have found direct access to what everyone is talking about here. Consider this NEW model of Integrity: What if who you and I are is our word consituted in language of course. So, to be in Integrity is to be a person whole and complete, right? So to remain whole and complete or to restore one’s integrity (wholeness), one’s word must be whole and complete. So when you do what you say you will do it leaves you whole and complete. But, you can’t always do that or you don’t want to etc. So, you clean up the mess you made, by not keeping your word, and that restores you to being whole and complete again. You are in integrity and the experience is one of Power, Freedom, Peace of mind and maximum productivity. That’s what I have found.
lorraine on 6 Feb 2008 at 7:17 pm: 6
Thanks for adding your input Barry
Exactly. When thoughts, words and deeds are congruent, integrity is high and life experience flows so much better when we take 100% responsibility for who we are and what we do.
Part 2 will be coming tomorrow and Part 3 will be posted on Monday.
Check back and leave your comments again.
Best,
Lorraine
Powerfull Living » Are You In Or Out Of Integrity? Steps to Restore it! Part 3 on 11 Feb 2008 at 7:59 am: 7
[...] Part 1 & Part 2 I painted a picture of looking at integrity as a core value in your [...]
Brennan Kingsland on 21 Feb 2008 at 9:58 pm: 8
Thank you for the post, Lorraine. I’ve always felt that integrity was thinking and acting in congruence with the best part of oneself. It’s lovely to have it phrased so effectively, as you have done,
inspiring aspirations.
I look forward to Parts 2 & 3.
Evelyn on 22 Feb 2008 at 7:25 am: 9
Thanks for sharing your views on what it means to have integrity.
Integrity is what pricks at my conscience when I am not in alignment with my inner self. I also realise that standards of integrity can differ from person to person; but what is most important, is the balance within each of us.
Evelyn
Michael Lang on 22 Feb 2008 at 7:55 am: 10
L, there is far too little talk about the subject of integrity there days except for the stereotypical rhetoric you hear from todays politicos.
Ironically, before I started The Lang Report, I was going to title my blog, “The Internet Integrity Report” and actually purchased several domain names with a couple of variations of the “intergity” theme.
I just relied to another comment about a maxim I always try to apply, and that is: “Behavior does not lie.” Words can deceive, intentions can be empty, but behavior tells the whole story.
Keep up the great work and stop by The Lang Report and leave a comment if you feel stirred by what you read.
Mike Lang
http://www.thelangreport.com
lorraine on 22 Feb 2008 at 8:21 am: 11
That’s definitely part of my definition of integrity Brennan
The more you seek to align your thoughts, heart and actions, the more you feel the disconnection in congruency. Thanks for stopping by and adding your thoughts!
We are of the same mind Evelyn,
For me, it’s like a pebble in my shoe to alert me when I have stepped away from “who I am”. I depend on that to let me know. It definitely differs for each person and when we are being true, life sure flows better, doesn’t it?
Thanks for your thoughts
Have a terrific day
Lorraine
lorraine on 22 Feb 2008 at 8:28 am: 12
Hi Michael
I agree. Integrity is not always talked about and something that has meaning for so many people.
You’re so right that it is the behavior that we really look at to determine the credibility of a person’s word. I would also add that there are time that behavior needs to change because the intention of the person changes. For me the key is owning up and taking responsibility which is an action of integrity
Thanks for stopping by and adding your voice to the conversation!
Cheers,
Lorraine
Powerfull Living » Five Critical Ingredients for Business and Personal Success on 17 Mar 2008 at 3:16 pm: 13
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