INTEGRITY - the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.
Integrity is one of our principles at Higher Calling Martial Arts that we say every time we begin class. We are supposed to be working on integrity, but how many of us have actually taken the time to think about what this means, and to truly try to work on this principle in our lives? I am thinking that many of us say this word but, sad to say, do not take it to heart.
I want to take a few minutes to discuss some practical ideas of what integrity is and what it is not. My prayer is that this will help you to be able to focus more on becoming an individual with more integrity each day as you work on it.
What does having integrity mean? It means to:
Tell the truth - even if you are uncomfortable doing so
Stand up for what you believe is right - even if it goes against your friends’ ideas
Be trustworthy - be someone that other people can trust to do what they say they will do
Admit mistakes when they are made and try to make them right - even if it means facing the consequences
Live by your highest values - These come by reading how God says we should live
Fill your life and mind with things that are good - Philippians 4:8 “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
What does NOT having integrity mean? It means to:
Lie and NOT tell the truth or honor your word, or even twisting the truth, or leaving parts out
NOT admit when you have made a mistake or to try to hide that you made a mistake
NOT do what you say you are going to do
Make POOR choices that go against what you know is right
I encourage you to think about the above examples and see if you think you would define yourself as someone who has integrity or not. Think of someone you know who you would consider full of integrity and ask them to help you set goals to continue your growth in this principle. You and others will reap the benefits for the rest of your life!
PIL SEUNG!