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Deep integrity raises standards
on large and small decisions of life.
Integrity. A simple word. If we
don’t lie, cheat, steal, or commit adultery and DO keep
our commitments, live the Golden Rule, and perhaps give to
the less fortunate, we believe we have integrity. Most
believe that living something like the Ten Commandments
pretty well handles it. Integrity seems pretty black and
white.
Standards change dramatically,
however, as we look more deeply into integrity. Quite
literally, the word “integrity” means “one”-- to be in
Oneness with God and to fully be who we could be. Choices
in the large and small decisions reflect our highest human
potential.
The word “sin” was originally an
archery term. It meant that the archer had missed the
bulls' eye or “missed the mark.” “Sinning” implied we had
fallen short of being all we could be--a human
manifestation of God.
By this definition, decisions that
we may never have associated with integrity suddenly have
implications. In fact, in my moments of truth, I know
that the only way others can really know God is through
the words and actions of those that were created in God’s
image. That means every word I say, every encounter I have
and every act I perform is an opportunity for others to
know God more intimately through me. If I “miss the
mark”--I “sin”--I miss an occasion to allow others to have
that experience. It is an awesome responsibility AND it
is a responsibility that we are richly supported in
fulfilling.
Regular communion with our personal
source of oneness will provide all we need. One client
recently told me that she hadn’t been spending as much
time in prayer and meditation recently, “because of what I
am afraid I will hear.” She has regularly been asked to
take on challenges that seemed overwhelming or to take
actions that fly directly in the face of what she has been
socialized to believe is correct, practical, or prudent.
In my own personal life, I have
watched my carefully assembled investment portfolio
evaporate as I stopped paid work for several years to
write several books that I was put on earth to write.
For those living in deep integrity,
decisions cease to be about getting what I want, what I
have been taught that I should do, or what others believe
I should do. Each moment I turn to Source asking, “What
would YOU have me do?” and I do that. On this day, that
has meant that when I had a stack of marketing related
things to do to rekindle my business, I am writing an
article for which I receive no compensation. I simply
knew when I was asked that it was how I would hit the mark
today.
My audiences are full of people with
excuses for failing to be in integrity. When the kids are
through college, when I’m vested in my retirement, when I
have the house paid for, or any one of countless other
“whens” separate us--keep us from being in integrity in
each moment.
But integrity goes even deeper. It requires that we
integrate (same root word as integrity) and act within all
the information I have, paying attention to even the most
inconvenient. Truly integrating all that I know.
Two years ago I discovered I was
allergic to wheat. Severe pollen allergy symptoms went
away in three days during the worst part of our always bad
pollen conditions when I stopped eating it. I now create
health without the medication upon which I have depended
for over 30 years. I can be whole by simply acting in
congruence with what I know. To fail to do so is to “miss
the mark” of integrating all the information I have been
given. Skipping the piece of focaccia or pasta that I
love is now a matter of integrity.
Similarly, whether I stick to my
exercise regimen would not traditionally have been an
“integrity” consideration. But I know that I am healthier
and can do my Higher Work for a longer period if I take
care of my physical body. Once I “know,” the choice
ceases to be about whether I will run or walk. The
decision I now make is whether I will be in integrity.
Most of us know that we can drive a
few miles per hour over the speed limit without being
ticketed. For most of my adult life, I’ve driven in that
“safe” margin. Consequently, I was 50 years old before I
had my first ticket. Recently it occurred to me that the
question really wasn’t about how fast I was driving, but
it was about integrity. When I’d applied for a driver’s
license in the State of North Carolina (and Oregon, Ohio,
and Indiana before that), I’d agreed to drive the posted
speed limit. The issue ceased to be whether I would get
caught and be ticketed and became a question of
character. Would I or could I keep the commitment that
I’d made when I applied for my license?
Keeping commitments will continue to
mean delivering on our ends of agreement, loyalty in
committed relationships, showing up at the time we agree
to meet someone, and a host of other “contracts.” But deep
integrity requires that we search our consciousness,
integrate and then courageously act on all that we know.
Copyright ©Pending
2001 Kay Gilley, Intentional-Leadership Systems
Editors Note: Kay Gilley is
author of several books, including The Game Called Life
which will be available from
www.1stBooks.com after 10/15/01. You are invited to
visit her website at
www.intentional-leadership.com or contact her at
(919) 572-2879.
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