Friday, June 4, 2021
When you allow others to influence you beyond your own, best judgement, you sacrifice your integrity. When you sacrifice your integrity, you betray what’s “right” for you. But “right” doesn’t mean being on the winning side of a disagreement, or in getting your way, either. Being right is staying true to your values. Staying true to your values might mean giving a firm “no,” or it might mean being willing to walk away from situations and people that are not good for you. If people or situations push you beyond your value judgement, it may be time to move on, to change or to adapt. But only you can know what to do! Once you’ve determined what’s right – stick with it! Following what’s right is a constant part of our journey on the planet.
When things in your life feel wrong, tumultuous, or life-draining, it may mean that you’ve sacrificed your integrity, under the false assumption that you’re being selfless, or being helpful. But true selflessness does not feel wrong nor does it make you feel guilty or incongruent with your integral values. Situations and people that are right for you will never “require” you to betray yourself; to put yourself in compromising situations; or to make you go back on your word – especially if your word was intentionally wholesome.
You’ll know that you’ve sacrificed your integrity because what you’ve chosen to do, or who you’ve chosen to be with will feel icky, for lack of a better word. Instead, choose to follow peace. Choose relief. Pursue what’s right – for you. Integrity is being honest with yourself in all things and with all people. When you follow what’s right for yourself, life will reward you with a kind of peace that surpasses all understanding. If you follow what’s wrong, and you sacrifice your integrity, life will “reward” you with inner turmoil and outer strife. Which one do you want? I hope you want a life of uncompromising integrity – I sure do.