“A person of integrity insists on doing what is right at all times. For a man to have integrity means that he is truthful in all things, that he can be trusted, and that his word is his bond.” - Major W. H. Margerum Jr.
“We often hear the word integrity, however, what does it mean to have integrity? Having integrity is the unity between a person’s words and actions. To live in integrity, one must be who they say they are, by keeping their word and by honoring their commitments. Living in integrity means being responsible, reliable, accountable, and dependable. Being integral means being true in all that you do: being true to your word, being true to yourself, being true to others, and it means always being genuine and authentic. Having integrity means being consistent in your beliefs, living by your principles, and acting in one accord with your values.” – Brian Klemmer
When I think about integrity I think of a majestic word. I regard integrity as a very high character trait to have and live out. Many people talk about what they believe in or what their moral values are, however, many times they say one thing and then their actions say something else.
“Who you are speaks so loudly I can’t hear what you’re saying” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
There are those people who talk the talk but never walk the walk. I know I have been guilty of not doing what I say and I have also witnessed other people be what I like to call a “social chameleon”. A social chameleon is someone who changes who they are depending on who they are with. A social chameleon is always concerned with being liked, popular or accepted, however, someone with integrity has a consistent set of beliefs that is unwavering.
Back in 2003-2004, I was a social chameleon, I talked a great talk but struggled to follow through with what I said. I was working with a national non-profit educational outreach and youth intervention program speaking to teenagers at middle schools. I talked about behavior and clear decision-making through my personal story and told them how their lives were a gift from God and their bodies a temple of the holy spirit and that they should revere and treat them as such. However, when I went home… I did not treat my body as a gift. I realized that I did not have integrity, my actions did not match my words, and I was not honest with myself. It was not until I dug deep inside and faced reality that I realized my values, words and actions did not line up, they were way off. I also realized that being a social chameleon is a lot of hard work and took up a lot of my time. I was being a whole different person depending on who I was with. I first had to be comfortable with who I was and realize that I had value and that what I believe is important. I am sure we have all heard the saying “actions speak louder than words” and that is so true in any situation we find ourselves in. People may “hear” what we say, but they will “listen” to what we do. Think about that.
At the end of your life do you want to be known as someone who had integrity, whose actions aligned with their words and beliefs, someone who’s word was their bond? How can you grow in integrity today? What steps can you take?
“The integrity of the upright guides them” – Proverbs 11:3
“You can take pride in being an individual of integrity… People will gravitate to you, seek your counsel, and cherish your friendship.” – Lou Holtz
Rebekah Chavez
e/d Chip Hart
“We often hear the word integrity, however, what does it mean to have integrity? Having integrity is the unity between a person’s words and actions. To live in integrity, one must be who they say they are, by keeping their word and by honoring their commitments. Living in integrity means being responsible, reliable, accountable, and dependable. Being integral means being true in all that you do: being true to your word, being true to yourself, being true to others, and it means always being genuine and authentic. Having integrity means being consistent in your beliefs, living by your principles, and acting in one accord with your values.” – Brian Klemmer
When I think about integrity I think of a majestic word. I regard integrity as a very high character trait to have and live out. Many people talk about what they believe in or what their moral values are, however, many times they say one thing and then their actions say something else.
“Who you are speaks so loudly I can’t hear what you’re saying” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
There are those people who talk the talk but never walk the walk. I know I have been guilty of not doing what I say and I have also witnessed other people be what I like to call a “social chameleon”. A social chameleon is someone who changes who they are depending on who they are with. A social chameleon is always concerned with being liked, popular or accepted, however, someone with integrity has a consistent set of beliefs that is unwavering.
Back in 2003-2004, I was a social chameleon, I talked a great talk but struggled to follow through with what I said. I was working with a national non-profit educational outreach and youth intervention program speaking to teenagers at middle schools. I talked about behavior and clear decision-making through my personal story and told them how their lives were a gift from God and their bodies a temple of the holy spirit and that they should revere and treat them as such. However, when I went home… I did not treat my body as a gift. I realized that I did not have integrity, my actions did not match my words, and I was not honest with myself. It was not until I dug deep inside and faced reality that I realized my values, words and actions did not line up, they were way off. I also realized that being a social chameleon is a lot of hard work and took up a lot of my time. I was being a whole different person depending on who I was with. I first had to be comfortable with who I was and realize that I had value and that what I believe is important. I am sure we have all heard the saying “actions speak louder than words” and that is so true in any situation we find ourselves in. People may “hear” what we say, but they will “listen” to what we do. Think about that.
At the end of your life do you want to be known as someone who had integrity, whose actions aligned with their words and beliefs, someone who’s word was their bond? How can you grow in integrity today? What steps can you take?
“The integrity of the upright guides them” – Proverbs 11:3
“You can take pride in being an individual of integrity… People will gravitate to you, seek your counsel, and cherish your friendship.” – Lou Holtz
Rebekah Chavez
e/d Chip Hart