Let’s Live in Integrity!
Hello Friends –
There sure is a lot going on in our community, country, and world. Locally, the number of COVID-19 cases has risen so high Mesa County has gone to SAFER AT HOME, Level Orange: High Risk. Consequently, we will not be holding any workshops in our beloved Yellow Room until the risk level has improved back to at least Level Blue: Cautious. This is very disappointing for us. Especially as we have all the dates ready for our 2021 workshops and courses. Hopefully things will improve for all of us soon!
The topic we want to talk about today is the idea of Living in Integrity. In our book, 5 POINTS TO PEACE, we define this term as: Your word is a true reflection of what is inside of you and you are honest.
The importance of doing our best to Live in Integrity cannot be overstated. Without it, the foundation of trust within our relationships is non-existent.
Here are some common ways people may not even realize they are NOT Living in Integrity:
We [read: all of us] share the PRIVATE BUSINESS of others with our friends, and this in NOT APPROPRIATE. When you know something about someone else, DO NOT SHARE what you know with others.
Many times, we don’t realize that when we are talking about other people’s business to others, we are gossiping. Gossiping is defined as: casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people. We can couch our gossip in concern, excitement, or inclusion, but this does not change what it is.
Solution: Do not talk about other people – there are plenty of other subjects to talk about that are interesting and appropriate.
Countless people act one way at home and then are fake away from home. When we are Living in Integrity, we are the same person wherever we go.
This is one that can be difficult to recognize, especially if you are a people pleaser type (like Annette), but it can be very destructive in our relationships. For one, it takes away consistency and security within the relationship AND it is completely disingenuous (harsh words, maybe – but someone has to say them!)
Solution: Be the same you wherever you go, and if you are not sure if you are, ask someone you trust. (Ada is the person who called Annette on this and it was a huge wake-up call! And a gift.)
Saying you will attend a class, meeting, or event and then never showing up.
This is one we have experienced ourselves and it makes life very difficult. When you agree to attend something, people do a lot of hard work to prepare for you.
The solution: Either don’t agree to attend or be sure to let the folks putting on the class, meeting, or event know you will not be able to attend like you planned. Whatever you do, if you agreed to attend, don’t be a no-show.
Expressing your political views to others without taking into consideration that they may have differing views.
We have been on the receiving end of this type of conversation as well, and it feels very disrespectful. People have forcefully expressed very strong opinions to us about political candidates and issues, and they have no idea the impact of these exchanges.
The solution: BE POLITE. If you are going to go on and on about how terrible a political candidate is, make sure you are talking to someone who agrees with you. If you are not sure how someone feels, keep your opinions to yourself.
These ideas go along with kindness that we have discussed at length. Let’s all try to be more polite, thoughtful, and Live in Integrity!
Many blessings,
Annette and Ada