in·teg·ri·ty

noun

1. the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.

Let’s be honest with each other, integrity is waning these days.  It’s sad how it has almost become normalized to expect people to lie, cheat, and steal.  It used to be that when you dealt with a person without integrity they would stand out, these days it’s eye-opening when you do come across an act of kindness and uprightness. 

Relationships don’t seem to matter anymore, either.  It’s amazing how loyalty doesn’t count and a person you’ve trusted and dealt with for years can wipe all that a way with a shrug and a “blah, blah, blah…” of any excuse. 

Coaching great John Wooden said, “The true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching.” Of course, these days we’d say, “…a person’s character…” but he was talking about all-male college basketball teams in the 1970’s.  Regardless, the sentiment is the same.

It’s not hard to do the right thing.  Sometimes it’s easier because the right thing is obvious, and mutually beneficial to all parties involved.  Sometimes the right thing to do is not apparent and it might mean that not everyone gets everything they want out of the situation.  But it’s always worth digging down and doing the right thing at the time, with the information given.

I do believe in Karma.  I do believe in the universe returning to you the energy you send out.  I do believe in “Judge Not, Lest Ye Be Judged.” I guess those are my solace when I come up against someone without integrity.  I have to count on the eventual outcome that a person with integrity may not win the battle, but they will win the war on morals.