Some Views Concerning Integrity
Feb 7th, 2009 by admin
Some Views Concerning Integrity
A Chapel Talk
By Allyce Cay-Bothmann
An easy definition of integrity is “having it all together.” If a box has integrity, it is complete for the purpose intended. It is sound, workable and can be relied upon to serve in its designated place. During the Civil War, for example, as in instances where individuals in power serve their selfish purposes, manufacturers for the Union forces cheated on materials for blankets as well as cutting corners for whatever was commissioned by the government, which was laboring under tremendous odds to keep its country operational.
It is no different today with so great an influx of young spirits with little or no experience in the values that insure their own well-being. God loves and blesses the child soul or what we may view as one with criminal tendencies, and we are supposed to endeavor to help as well as understand these younger brothers. Some are more limited than others, some are more immediate in our lives, some bring forth the efforts that lead to greatest progress in practicing the virtues we must acquire to perfect ourselves.
It is necessary to evaluate our actions, for we must make decisions. Yet in doing this it is too easy to slip into judging situations and persons. The five senses yield but a small fraction of the information we need; even if we add psychic powers. In the evaluative process many considerations come into play: the opinions we have of each other; the life course for each; the inner and outer abilities, according to the standards of performance for an individual in a given area; the designated hurdles and timing of these—and on and on into deeper and deeper facts and figures, of which we as humans cannot even conceive. It would not be so bad if in falling into this habit of judgment our own weaknesses could be evident. It’s no telling what misconceptions are entertained or what problems these cause in relationships.
Although it is an enormous challenge to acquire even a working equanimity, when we are swayed or driven by our feelings toward others, we are impeded in our own path, and this can affect the whole—the light and energy available for correct action. Watching that we rise above our emotions, we build not only on our integrity, but also, incident by incident, we acquire a store of wisdom.
A Portuguese neighbor of my sister gave her an afghan; it was crocheted with an intricate, tightly pulled stitch. Salita told us that sometimes she made a mistake, and may not have noticed it until she had done another row or more, and she had to pull it all out until the wrong stitch was made as tight and perfect as all the rest. I never saw a heavier, more perfectly created, afghan before or since. The integrity of Salita’s work was a lesson to me, a demonstration on how we have to eventually make up for our mistakes: the sooner, the easier. The Lord advised us to agree with our adversaries quickly while we are in the way with them. How much more sensible and happier this is!
Our days are made up of causes and consequence. To cultivate integrity, we watch our reactions to assure that they are not impulsive reactions that drift into negativity—and if this should happen, we must react with a more positive response quickly, to smooth over the incident before it mars the fine work in our own inner progress. Whether we are aware of it or not, in each day of our lives on earth, we weave the iridescent material of our golden wedding garments. This raises our consciousness to a level worthy of our Lord, so that we may attend His wedding feast.
Integrity is not merely being honest in our dealings; honesty is a good part of a character, but it must permeate the quality of the whole. One may see truth to whatever extent his light may shine, but integrity needs to hold various components in their designated places for the proper function and the best outcome. A person of integrity can be depended on to not only relate truth but also apply it to manage the self with ability and control. An automobile of integrity is workable with proper fuel, engine, body and wheels all doing their work. A company of integrity follows through on its commitments; it is organized and managed properly in order to deliver its products, whether materials or services.
What we are interested in doing is building characters of integrity. To do this it is necessary to implement the virtues with all their subsidiary qualities. We are not completely integrated with God and the cosmos until we learn about justice and develop the fortitude to not let down before a work is accomplished. Without self control we imperil not only ourselves but our associates as well—often even those not directly involved. Throughout our grand destiny we have to learn about ourselves and about how to use what we know as effectively as possible, according to whatever circumstances arise.
Love is a special study, as it is the propellant of progress and the giver of encouraging pleasure. A positive attitude may include humor with social skills. It takes hard work for even a Mozart or Einstein to succeed.
Allyce Cay-Bothmann