Today's topic: Integrity

What is it in modern life? Does it even exist anymore?

The dictionary definition states that it is a “adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.” https://www.dictionary.com/browse/integrity

It should be one’s personal life plan to have integrity in all their words and actions. This is particularly an important aspect of life once a person becomes a full-fledged adult. Children do not necessarily know what those words mean, but they do see everything, and this is how they develop their own moral code of behavior. Often the behavior witnessed, and words spoken to them and around them are how those children develop their own moral standards.

I am of the belief that we should all live a life of integrity. I want to know that other people, whether I know them or not, live a morally correct life. It is my obligation as a human member of society to be seen as someone who has this attribute.

Having integrity in how one conducts their life leads to the attributes of trust and loyalty. Everyone wants to be trusted, regardless of their own moral status. Those who lie their way through life particularly want this trust. Everyone wants to have people who are loyal to them.

I want to believe that institutions in our society have integrity. Yet, the older I get, the less trust I have in the integrity of many “institutions” that I was taught to trust. I see so much fraud, hear so many lies and the fact that collectively we are all so semi-blind and accepting of this behavior. I think some of this is that everyone has their own version of “the facts” and they respond to being called out on their words or actions in a manner that will minimize the damage they have created. I see what I believe fits the definition of fraud: deceit, trickery, sharp practice, or breach of confidence, perpetrated for profit or to gain some unfair or dishonest advantage; a particular instance of such deceit or trickery, mail fraud; election fraud. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/fraud

I think that there are levels of integrity and that has developed based upon the level of damage fraud has created. In most instances, not all of the parties who are involved in a fraudulent act will know all of the details of the act. Sometimes it is really none of an outsider’s business, but knowledge of said fraud can be bothersome to be that outsider and know it is wrong.

I am an observant person and for much of my life, I have been invisible (well, not really, more like ignored) to other people. When I see or hear (people talk and don’t realize that I have perfect hearing-remember, I am invisible) about something that I know to be wrong or fraudulent, it really bothers me. In most situations, I cannot do anything, as I have no standing (legal or otherwise) to speak up to “expose” the said fraud. Yet I want to do something about it, fix the fraud and have the individual(s) held accountable.

Does our American society have integrity? Do our American institutions have integrity?

I’m truly wondering about this human attribute. All I think I can really do is do my absolute best to speak and live with integrity myself and hope that it is seen and modeled.

I’m not holding my breath…

I’m invisible, have not enough standing and does anyone else really care?