The Power of Personal Integrity

To me, integrity is doing what you say you’re going to do, when you say you’re going to do it, in the way you say you’re going to do it. And when you don’t, you communicate such and recommit. Period. This is separate from morals, separate from right and wrong. It’s like the structural integrity of a building – if there is a breakdown in integrity, the whole system fails.

Integrity is giving your word. It’s relatively easy to give your word and honor your promises to others, but all too often, we use our word to others as an excuse not to honor our word to ourselves. In doing for others, we create the illusion that we don’t have enough time to take care of ourselves, to be with our families, engage in spiritual practices, cook healthy food, exercise regularly.

If you are in integrity with yourself first, if you honor your word to yourself first, and then make promises to other people, you can show up in the world more powerfully. You can stop hiding behind excuses that make you a victim when you say things like, “I’m so busy,” and “I don’t have enough time.”

By making these excuses, you are covering up those things you know you need to be honoring within and for yourself. You avoid looking at what is truly important. Is your health important to you or not? Do you care about creating healthy relationships or not?

Get clear on what your word is to yourself, and honor it.

When you get married, you give your word that you will love that person unconditionally. When you have a baby, you give your word that you will love that child no matter what. Your word is powerful, and meaningful, and important.

By shedding the excuses of the past and living in integrity with yourself, you can step into your greatness. You can truly make a difference for yourself and the people around you.