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By definition, the word “Integrity” means, “being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness”. Or, in Joe-world, it means something a bit more direct – I Can’t Lie!
Well, that’s not entirely true. I’m sure I have some capability – just far less than the average Joe. I remember as a kid, I could never successfully lie myself out of a situation. Sure, I could always try. But I had no talent for it. One of my earliest memories of telling a lie to get out of trouble illustrates this handicap perfectly. One day I was playing in the house, and I accidentally knocked over a vase with flowers. Nothing broke, but water spilled. And it made noise! Somehow, someway, mom heard every single noise in the house. I don’t know how she did it, but she had mom ears. Mom came in, after hearing the commotion, and demanded to know (using full mom voice) if I knew what happened, and I panicked! You see, the mom voice meant one thing and one thing only – I was on the verge of getting In Trouble! I didn’t necessarily understand what In Trouble meant. I just knew that I didn’t want to be there. And if there was any way to escape, now would be the time. So I decided to make up a lie. Of course, I didn’t understand the concept of believability. So I concocted this crazy story. I didn’t actually know what happened, other than somebody broke in, knocked over the vase, and then left. I wasn’t entirely sure how he got in or out. But that’s what happened. Yup!
Mom was NOT amused. And I managed to get myself In Trouble. Standing in the corner, I sobbed my little face off. Life was so UNFAIR!!!!!! Why was this happening to ME?!!!!! After all, I didn’t MEAN to knock the flowers over! Oh, woe is me!!!!!!
As I grew up, I never did manage to develop a talent for lies. Again, I have no poker face, and I’m just not fast on my feet. So ultimately, I just stick with the truth – it’s just far easier. I learned early on that telling a lie was just not a good thing. It is not only easier to tell the truth, but just feels better. But in some ways, this has developed into a handicap. Why a handicap? Well, because contrary to the adage, honesty is NOT always the best policy – at least not when it comes to getting along with the masses.
I can think of situations in my life – some in the past, and some very recent – where a really silly, overblown, and unnecessary bit of drama could probably have be defused early on if I had just lied and said, “You’re right. I was wrong to make such a statement. I’m sorry.” But even though such a statement would probably nip the problem in the bud, I just can’t do that. Why? Because I do NOT believe the other person was right. I do NOT believe I was wrong. I am NOT sorry. And I’m just not going to lie about it to try and make the other person feel better. It just isn’t who I am and I highly doubt I would sound convincing anyway. This doesn’t mean I am not caring or compassionate. But if that makes me LOOK a little less compassionate or caring to some, then so be it. When it comes down to it, I’m happy to agree to disagree. I can let go of the situation. I am learning more and more when and where to pick my battles. But one thing I just will not do is lie about what I think. Not just because I suck at it, but because I just don’t believe it is the right thing to do – ever!
Like me for who I am – hate me for who I am – feel indifferent about who I am – what you see is what you get. No hidden agenda. No double-speak or passive-aggressive behavior. I speak my mind and you know where you stand with me. Do I have a lot of opinions? Yes. Do I spout off quite a bit about what I think? Absolutely. But at least I am honest and have integrity. That integrity is very important to me, and something I work very hard on maintaining.
I don’t have a highly philosophical point to this particular post, or some universal revelation of prophetic truth. Rather, I’m just giving you this opportunity to know a bit more about me and how I tick. So, there it is – my honest opinion.
Well, that’s not entirely true. I’m sure I have some capability – just far less than the average Joe. I remember as a kid, I could never successfully lie myself out of a situation. Sure, I could always try. But I had no talent for it. One of my earliest memories of telling a lie to get out of trouble illustrates this handicap perfectly. One day I was playing in the house, and I accidentally knocked over a vase with flowers. Nothing broke, but water spilled. And it made noise! Somehow, someway, mom heard every single noise in the house. I don’t know how she did it, but she had mom ears. Mom came in, after hearing the commotion, and demanded to know (using full mom voice) if I knew what happened, and I panicked! You see, the mom voice meant one thing and one thing only – I was on the verge of getting In Trouble! I didn’t necessarily understand what In Trouble meant. I just knew that I didn’t want to be there. And if there was any way to escape, now would be the time. So I decided to make up a lie. Of course, I didn’t understand the concept of believability. So I concocted this crazy story. I didn’t actually know what happened, other than somebody broke in, knocked over the vase, and then left. I wasn’t entirely sure how he got in or out. But that’s what happened. Yup!
Mom was NOT amused. And I managed to get myself In Trouble. Standing in the corner, I sobbed my little face off. Life was so UNFAIR!!!!!! Why was this happening to ME?!!!!! After all, I didn’t MEAN to knock the flowers over! Oh, woe is me!!!!!!
As I grew up, I never did manage to develop a talent for lies. Again, I have no poker face, and I’m just not fast on my feet. So ultimately, I just stick with the truth – it’s just far easier. I learned early on that telling a lie was just not a good thing. It is not only easier to tell the truth, but just feels better. But in some ways, this has developed into a handicap. Why a handicap? Well, because contrary to the adage, honesty is NOT always the best policy – at least not when it comes to getting along with the masses.
I can think of situations in my life – some in the past, and some very recent – where a really silly, overblown, and unnecessary bit of drama could probably have be defused early on if I had just lied and said, “You’re right. I was wrong to make such a statement. I’m sorry.” But even though such a statement would probably nip the problem in the bud, I just can’t do that. Why? Because I do NOT believe the other person was right. I do NOT believe I was wrong. I am NOT sorry. And I’m just not going to lie about it to try and make the other person feel better. It just isn’t who I am and I highly doubt I would sound convincing anyway. This doesn’t mean I am not caring or compassionate. But if that makes me LOOK a little less compassionate or caring to some, then so be it. When it comes down to it, I’m happy to agree to disagree. I can let go of the situation. I am learning more and more when and where to pick my battles. But one thing I just will not do is lie about what I think. Not just because I suck at it, but because I just don’t believe it is the right thing to do – ever!
Like me for who I am – hate me for who I am – feel indifferent about who I am – what you see is what you get. No hidden agenda. No double-speak or passive-aggressive behavior. I speak my mind and you know where you stand with me. Do I have a lot of opinions? Yes. Do I spout off quite a bit about what I think? Absolutely. But at least I am honest and have integrity. That integrity is very important to me, and something I work very hard on maintaining.
I don’t have a highly philosophical point to this particular post, or some universal revelation of prophetic truth. Rather, I’m just giving you this opportunity to know a bit more about me and how I tick. So, there it is – my honest opinion.
