in·teg·ri·ty/inˈtegritē/Noun:
1) The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.
2) The state of being whole and undivided: "territorial integrity".
Synonyms: honesty - probity - entirety - rectitude - wholeness
This word came up today in conversation with a friend and I. They referred to me as a person of integrity. I took that as a complement...however, upon thinking more about that (and then seeing a car which had the word on the side of it) I figured I would look it up. As I perused on-line for the definition, because lord knows I am not sure where a dictionary would be in my house, I felt more and more humbled that someone would use that term for me. However, I am trying really hard to accept complements and will take it to heart, but in doing so, I must give credit where credit it due.
I was very fortunate growing up to be a part of a very tight-knit family...one which I loved with all of my heart. I respected each of my family members and looked up to them for guidance, love, and instruction on how to live my life. I think that my greatest teacher was my Mammaw. She always corrected me (lovingly, of course) on my posture, my grammar, which side of the street I was walking on with a lady (men should always walk closet to the street...Mammaw said this was so people would know she was not 'for sale' but I have since been told that etiquette-wise this is due to puddles - if a car drives past through a puddle then the man gets wet/dirty), and not to carry my soda cup with me in public. The last one, I of course, have not abode by very well (or at all). LOL.
Anyway, back to integrity. I will not forget my first lesson on integrity. It was actually taught to me through my little sister Misty (very little at the time). We always got to play in the desk at the funeral home (pronounced, for this story, 'pfoonrol home') and I always took to task of counting the change and the dollars. Man, I was a little nerd even as a kid.
So, the story goes, that we had been at the pfoonrol home and got home. Misty went to the living room and started emptying her pockets full of money. My Mom, I am sure equally amused and horrified (as her daughter was one of the youngest thieves in recorded time), asked her where she got this newfound wealth. Misty looked up and with glee shouted "pfoonrol home! pfoonrol home!" Thereafter, Misty was told to get all of the money together and we trudged back to the funeral home where she had to tell Mammaw and Pappaw what she had done. Frankly, she probably got a spanking, but I do not honestly recall.
Later on in life, Pappaw shared with me that there is not one person you meet who is less than you. You are no better than anyone else and you treat each person with respect. He also told me never to judge someone; if I judged someone as poor based on the clothing that they wore or the car that they drove, I would be sorely mistaken in many cases. I live this to this day. I KNOW that I am no better than anyone else. I may have had a life that many would have considered privileged or lucky, but it doesn't make one anything more than someone else. I do not have all of the life experiences of so many others. I have had some horrible moments over the past years and in my life, it has been a difficult road to hoe because of who I am. However, it makes no difference. We all require blood, oxygen, food, shelter, and water. We all NEED the same things.
I think it is this upbringing, and then working in the title loan business for 5 years, that led me to non-profit. Yep, I may not have a dollar to my name a few times a month (that was actually the honest truth recently), but I am so rich in the quality of friends, family, peers, and acquaintances that I have. In fact, in that regard, I dare say I am one of the richest young men I know. So, I might not be able to purchase a Beamer, but guess what, I wouldn't trade that for my friends on any day of the week.
So, not only did I have an upbringing teaching me integrity, but I have had so many great teachers in my recent history who have taught me what it means to LIVE with integrity. I can think of so many of my friends who actually walk the walk and talk the talk. I strive to emulate them as much as I can. Seeing them be the best people they can be and making a positive difference in the world gives me hope in the world and the desire to be more like them.
The friend who said this to me today, is one with a great deal of integrity. She and her husband both are such outstanding individuals who have raised a phenomenal family and who have and DESERVE the utmost respect from everyone. I am honored to call them my friends and because of this, I am greatly humbled at their complements.
I will say this, as I know most of those who read my blog. Each person has the capability of showing a great deal of integrity. A majority of those who will read this, I know DO show that each and every day. Thank YOU for being ones of integrity and showing those around you the meaning of the word.
Peace.
