Do The Right Thing, It’s Called Integrity

I’ve heard it said that integrity shines brightest upon those acts that are not witnessed by others. You know these kind of people, right?

In other words, it’s standing firm on honor, moral principles and honesty if there are a lot of people watching you or if there’s no one watching you.

Do the right thing, even if no one is looking. It’s called integrity. And there seems to be less and less of it these days. Like the concept of respect, integrity seems to be slipping out of society.

I adore people of integrity. People who treat everyone with kindness and honor. They smile and say “Good Morning!” to the janitor as quickly as they say it to the CEO. Those are my kind of people.

No matter how educated, talented, rich or cool you believe you are, how you treat people ultimately tells all. Integrity is everything.

Have you ever thought someone had integrity, only to find out that they didn’t? It happens to most of us. And when we do finally realize their true character, we are heartbroken.

I once worked with someone that I thought defined the word, ‘integrity’. But I found out I was wrong. I saw his true colors one day at lunch when he mistreated a waitress.

He was terrible to her. It was so bad that I was embarrased for her. I never spoke to him again after that. I severed all business and personal ties with him.

My head wouldn’t let me remain in the business relationship and my heart wouldn’t let me stay in the personal relationship.

When you see someone’s true colors, take it as a sign from God. It is God letting you know that your heart and soul do not align with that person’s heart and soul.

Get away from them. As fast as you can. You don’t want to be around people with no integrity. It wears on you. It makes you stop looking for the good in others.

True integrity treats everyone with honor, dignity and respect.  You don’t treat the waitress any differently than you treat the owner of the restaurant.

You don’t treat the mechanic any differently than you do the owner of the car dealership. That’s what integrity does. Living with integrity means you see the value in each and every person.

Spend your time with people who love you, support you and who have integrity. They are the people who support you behind your back, not just to your face.

Sending you blessings of love and kindness from Sterrett, Alabama!

Charity M. Richey-Bentley