YES!!!

Integrity has been around since the beginning of time, and it will be here long after we are gone. There are immutable and unchanging laws that govern the universe which bear witness to integrity, sound and unbroken. 

Some of the greatest minds throughout history spoke of integrity as self-mastery and the restoration of the complete person. 

Kings who walked with integrity commanded the loyalty and respect of their kingdoms. 

It was spoken in ancient times that having integrity was worth more than silver and gold. 

Great riches without integrity was considered to be a life of torment and unease. 

Integrity is the source of all things worthy to be believed in. It is the treasure that never runs out of supply and always comes through on its promises. It is the most valuable asset a person can have, and yet the least desired. 

It is the underpinning of every trustworthy organization, and the heartbeat of any and all healthy relationships.

So Yes!!! We are going to talk about character!


1.0 Really, you're going to talk to me about character? 

Picture a very large fortress - immovable, impenetrable, and towering above the earth. 

Now visualise this behemoth surrounded by raging waters that rise and fall with the tide, as they smash against the rocks below, the fortress perched upon massive jagged cliffs high above.

Now picture the stronghold's construction over many years in a time lapse - days turning into nights, and nights turning into days, while many workers speedily bring about its formation. 

Imagine the assembly of the fortress experiencing weeks of blissful progress, but setbacks, frustrations and long arduous days as well. 

Now imagine this stronghold completed. 

Let the mind take in this magnificent fortress drinking in the rest from the seasons needed to integrate its parts. Periodic upkeep and care to maintain the health of the structures immensity will need attention and scheduling. 

As the monument holds throughout generations, celebrations are held within its walls. Families employ its warmth absent from the harsh elements outside. Dreams are born and acted upon. Battles are fought with ferocity and grit in the face of evil and injustice. It is a symbol of hope, strength, resiliency and heritage. Its renown travels far beyond its walls; trustworthy, peaceable, impenetrable, immovable, fearless.

This imagery is an analogy for what integrity will look like in our lives. Integrity isn’t just about being a good person, it is about building our internal worlds like this stronghold. It is a representation of character; character that withstands the sieges of life, forges its place in this world and becomes a safe haven for its residents as well as its visitors. It breeds a confidence that words cannot properly express, and supplies grounded conviction in all of the interactions and circumstances we will face in our lives. 


Let’s journey together.




1.1 Imagery Illustrating Integrity

The word integrity comes from the latin word, "Integer". 

Let's take a moment to think about where we've heard this before.... You've got to be kidding me. Math? Really? 

Yes. Math. 

DON’T ZONE OUT NOW. WE’LL GET THROUGH THE MATH PART QUICKLY BUT PAY ATTENTION!! (It’s for your benefit). 

Integers and fractions - Onset terrifying flashbacks for many, and unusual pleasure for others. If we were paying attention in class we would recall that INTEGERS are WHOLE numbers (Positive, Negative and Zero) and that fractions are the different parts that make up the whole. It's a fascinating representation of the human mind, body, spirit, and how it works together (or not). 

Integer = Whole. Integrity = Whole or unbroken self (mind, body, spirit). 

Integrity is the launching pad, and engine that enables us to follow through on commitments, responsibilities, goals and dreams with confidence.


1.2 Where does the word integrity come from?

The good news is that most everyone has some integrity, and some more than others. The better news is that EVERYONE can acquire this asset (integrity). We all start somewhere, and it's never too late to begin investing in this asset. INTEGRITY IS CURRENCY. A good reputation is worth more than many riches. This might sound ridiculous at first, but let us look over this example:

Twin brothers are set to inherit four million dollars. Two million a piece. The first brother has interactions that are sincere and honest. His reputation begins to follow him that he is a man of his word, trustworthy and kind. 

The second brother has a problem. He's sneaky and untrustworthy with following through on his promises, and has been caught cheating on his partners. His reputation begins to follow him that he is a loose man that should not be taken seriously. 

The time comes to inherit the money. Each brother receives their share of two million dollars. A partnership comes across the path of the brothers. This partnership would ensure not only greater wealth, but also international recognition and impact. The brothers must be willing to invest half of their fortune. The catch is only one brother can be rewarded for the partnership. 

The founder of this prestigious international project meets the brothers. The second brother may have landed the partnership if his reputation hadn't reached the ears of the founder. The founder expressed, "I cannot in good conscience allow my name and assets to be in the hands of someone who has shown themselves to be untrustworthy and sneaky. I therefore grant the partnership to your brother who is known to be honest, fair and kind."

Integrity was the currency that landed this lucrative worldwide partnership. Having a reputable character is what convinced the founder that one brother was more fit to handle the responsibilities and rewards of the project. 


1.3 Got integrity?

What happens if I'm untrustworthy, or have lied, or have done wrong to myself or others? Is there hope for me? 

The great news is there IS hope! As long as we're alive it's NEVER too late to begin developing integrity in our lives. 

In the next section we will begin to unpack developing integrity. REMEMBER it's NEVER too late to start, or build on the beautiful parts of ourselves that are already in place. 


Let's move on to the next section and explore integrity further. 

1.4 So what's next?

Introduction to Integrity

Integrity is not being perfect. 

Every human being comes into this world flawed. It is in our nature to survive. 

As young children we quickly learn that we make mistakes, and in some families mistakes mean being punished. 

What is the result of the fear of being punished? Hiding. 

How do we hide? We learn to lie, pretend and people please (among other survival mechanisms). We learn early on that the world isn't safe in one way or another. We become masters of our environment. It isn't always pretty, and for many it is a cause of shame. Our hearts are telling us we're good and worthy of love, but our behaviors are telling us (and unfortunately everyone around us) that we are "bad" and unworthy of love. We can touch on this in another series. 

What does this mean for someone who wants to grow in integrity?

It means that we need to learn to undo our conditioning. 

Integrity is not an outward show of great abilities, charisma and talent. Integrity is WHOLENESS being integrated from the inside out. Integrity is a strong haven that can be built upon, and from, to experience life in its fullest expression and withstand the complications of life that inevitably come. 

The opposite is true in the following statement: 

Charisma without character = Catastrophe. 

Being charismatic, charming, sauve, silk, slippery and convincing have manipulative connotations. They are natural giftings (the ability to read people and effectively communicate with great personalities) that have a tendency to be abused for power and wealth. 
Without integrity (character) in place, these giftings often go off the rails and great harm (physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual) is done to everyone involved (catastrophe). 

Unravelling our conditioned life responses to merely survive and transferring that energy to operate in wholeness will transition us into a place where we begin to THRIVE. Working towards completeness will help us proactively avoid some of the pitfalls of life. The more we put the pieces together internally, the greater the chance of avoiding catastrophe both internally and externally.

2.0 What integrity is NOT

It starts with getting honest with ourselves. We begin to practise recognizing our motivations. At first our motivations may be very selfish, but it doesn't have to end there. Integrity is a restoration of the whole person. 

Let's take a look at this example:

John has been struggling with his investments. The fear of missing out has caused him to make emotional decisions that have cost him dearly. 
John's friend Thomas is better with managing his emotions and money. John has just recently learned of Thomas' success with a new investment project. 

John begins to be extra friendly with Thomas in hopes that he will somehow benefit from Thomas' recent explosive earnings. Thomas is unaware of John's motivations. Thomas thinks that John is just being a good friend. Little does he realise that John is paying extra attention to him with the desire to get something from him. 

John asks Thomas to borrow some money. Thomas happily lends John some of his earnings. Thomas doesn't hear from John ever again. 

John is then wracked with feelings of guilt (or not) and continues to do the same thing to his other "friends".

John is in a cycle of manipulation causing himself and others pain. 

John comes to his senses and realises the pain he's caused himself and others. He begins to assess his MOTIVATIONS. 

John concludes that he has been motivated by FEAR. John then sets out to right his wrongs. He contacts those he's stolen from and works to repay each one of them. He begins to rebuild the trust he once had with others, and can begin to sleep better at night knowing he is moving in the right direction. 

John is moving in the direction of INTEGRITY. 


Again, integrity is not an outward show of great abilities, charisma and talent. Integrity is WHOLENESS being integrated from the inside out. Integrity is a strong foundation that can be built upon to experience life in its fullest expression and withstand the storms of life that inevitably come. 

Remember this alliteration: CHARISMA WITHOUT CHARACTER = CATASTROPHE. 


As we can see from the example, John started off acting without integrity. The consequences of his actions caught up with him and John chose to reassess his character. John began to move towards integrity. 

Integrity is for everyone and benefits everyone. It's the glue that holds all relationships together, and more importantly it is the pathway to peace within ourselves. 


2.1 Where do we start?

In a "What about me?" society (for the most part) selfishness runs rampant. Many would prefer to be liked than to hold to their ideals, values and convictions. 

Some examples look like: 

We fear being alone. 

We fear not being a part of. 

We fear being unpopular. 

These are conditioned responses from our upbringing and lived experiences. There are many variables as to the "how's and why's" of our behaviors, but there comes a time when a shift happens. 

We feel restless. 

It may come in the form of depression or anxiety. Our intuition is urging us to make changes. 

Let’s examine different aspects related to this necessary change.

Maturity: Being a child comes with being childish. Thinking like a child, acting like a child, and understanding the world through a self-centred lens. No one can fault a child for being a child. As the brain develops and hopefully the emotions (ideally) through a loving, disciplined and structured environment (with consistent and repetitive stimuli) the person begins to form a greater sense of self and autonomy in the world. 

This autonomy is supported by the ideals, values and convictions the maturing individual is forming. Maturity happens differently for everyone. There is no "one size fits all" path to maturity. The journey of integrity is a lifetime of growth and returning to wholeness. There are children who seem more "mature" than adults, and hopefully vice versa. A person can be mature in their ability to communicate their needs, but be less mature in how they handle correction or instruction. Integrity is the pursuit of WHOLENESS in all of our parts. Maturity is somewhat synonymous with integrity. It is like concrete that has been set. It becomes solid and reinforced with the rebar (reinforced steel rods) of our ideals, values and convictions. Let's break down a few structural parts of maturity. 


Ideals: Ideals are beautiful. We see things in light of perfection. The planets align and everything is just as it should be. Ideals are what we strive towards. Such as everyone living in harmony, or being seen for our heart instead of our mistakes. Ideals help form our value systems and keep the dreams alive within us. Ideals are important on the journey of integrity. Our hearts long for better. We know deep down there's more and it is the pursuit of every human to satiate this inner longing. Ideals are achievable in varying degrees and make up a crucial part of our wholeness. Ideals are important to hold onto because of the nature of hope, and the ongoing struggle to attain them. 


Values: Value systems vary depending on what each person believes is important. Some value security, while others value freedom from expectations. Values are formed very early in life and are usually assisted in their formation by parental figures or guardians. Values tend to change over time and are connected to how we've been treated and how we want to be treated. What we value we protect. What we value we try to live by. When someone does something that hurts or violates what we value we become angry. Justice is connected to our values. The time comes when everyone needs to choose to live by their values or compromise for whatever reason specific to them. This is usually connected to survival in some way. When the going gets tough there is an aspect of integrity that will keep a person holding to their ideals and values resulting in greater maturity. It's called CONVICTION.

Conviction: Conviction is a firm belief about something. Conviction is synonymous with faith. It's closely linked to intuition, a sixth sense or a gut feeling. Conviction withstands the tendency to compromise our values and ideals. When people run away from a project, situation or vision when things get hard, conviction keeps us planted and moving forward to see the project, situation or vision through to the end - even if it means doing so alone. 



2.2 The JOURNEY of integrity

There are two paths. 

One path is to remain in a REACTIVE state of being. Reacting to situations is a retroactive way of going about life. The situation has already happened, and then action.

The other path is PROACTIVE. Having a state of being that is prepared in advance. It is imperative to have things in place for WHEN things go bad. It's not IF, it's WHEN. 

A reactive state leaves us in a place to be a victim of life. 

A proactive state places us in a position to be a beneficiary of life. 

Integrity is the substance that endures all of the hurricanes of life. Becoming a whole person ensures that life can be endured, no matter how difficult. Those who WALK (the journey) in integrity, WALK (this life) securely. It is human nature to want to AVOID pain, trouble and suffering. There is NO avoiding these things in their differing levels of intensity. The good news is we do not have to be afraid, there are tools to navigate this life. As mentioned previously, we will discuss these practical tools and more as we navigate the road to integrity. 

2.3 Understanding the "Why?"

There is rational fear, and irrational fear. 

If a lion entered our home and we were afraid, that is rational fear. The feelings fit the facts.  

If we were constantly afraid that a lion would somehow get into our home when we don't live anywhere near lions, that is irrational fear. The feelings don't fit the facts.

Irrational fear is rooted in the 'what if?'. What if I try and I fail? What if I don't get the job I want? What if the person I'm attracted to rejects me? What if...? The fear of the unknown and the unrevealed. 

Rational fear is not rooted in emotion. It is rooted in FACTS. When it comes to character development many of us are afraid of what we'll find. This is a logical fear. Most of us have done things that we're not very proud of. 

The fact is, we will probably find LOTS of things we won't like, but losing sight of the DEVELOPMENT part of the process will certainly sideline our growth. Most people will choose comfort over character. It's human nature. We favor getting by with presenting ourselves to the world without ever letting anyone see us for who we truly are. We fear who we really are (in our current state), and this fear is amplified because we haven't been given a solution. We may feel like an imposter because the masks we wear do not line up with the person we believe ourselves to be. Everything is for show, but we were not meant to live this way. 

The Greek word for hypocrite means, "actor" or "one who wears a mask". EVERYONE is a hypocrite in one measure or another. We tend to throw this word around as an insult to others without understanding. Fear keeps us looking outwardly instead of inwardly. There is a saying, "Do not look down on someone else unless it is to help them up". 

What are we afraid of? 

To be seen for who we really are, and to be left with the shame of unresolved issues without compassion and understanding. 

We need answers, and a practical framework to build the solace we seek throughout the disturbances that life brings.

What is the solution? Wholeness, or integrity. 

The path to integrity begins by removing the masks and taking an honest look at ourselves. The change starts with us. We begin to discover our values, ideals and convictions. We become our greatest advocate and stand among giants. It doesn't matter who they are, how much money they have, or what group they are a part of, INTEGRITY solidifies ourselves in ANY of these realms. When the dust has settled and we have time to breathe and look over the progress we've made, we will be amazed at what we find. 

Throughout the journey we must always be aware of FEAR. 

Fear is ever present. We should be comforted to know that much of our fear is a conditioned response, and therefore can be unconditioned. There is hope, and remembering that there is great restoration taking place will encourage us to keep pursuing this wholeness that always comes through on its promises. 

It is important to note that integrity causes the GOOD things in life to be AMPLIFIED. Pleasant experiences that would previously be rated a 6 out of 10, now becomes an 8.5 out of 10. The reason being is because our conscience now aligns with our pleasant experiences in the realm of believing we are WORTHY (one of the reasons why) to enjoy these experiences. We can remain present and absorb all of the good happening. Integrity is the restoration of the complete person, and it overflows into all aspects of our lives. 

More great news is that integrity has some heavy hitters as allies. These characteristics may not come easily for many of us, but they are powerful weapons, and with a little work we'll begin to see the fantastic benefits they bring in time. 




2.4 Fear - The enemy of integrity

Honesty and humility are enormous forces that work on our behalf. 

They take the sting out of the accusations or judgements of others. 

These qualities save us from being surprised by the evils that lurk in this world, and give us the confidence to handle each day as it comes. They help us to laugh at ourselves in a healthy way. They work to remove the fear of being known. They level our pride and connect us instead of divide us. Honesty and humility build a bridge between ourselves and others; even those we previously would have thought unworthy of our connection or attention. They provide a depth and weight to our understanding of the world and the suffering within it. These allies are invaluable assets that take us to places we never dreamed possible. They are the qualities that cause people from all walks of life to prosper together. They demand respect, but also make A LOT of people uncomfortable. Honesty and humility are interchangeable. There is not one without the other. They are the warriors that protect our peace, and open the door to wisdom and understanding. These powerhouses keep us teachable and full of awe. They provide a root system so full of life that it is self-sustainable. 

Think about it: With or without anyone else these allies of integrity bring a fulfilling sense of satisfaction. There is nothing as tasty or beautiful. Honesty and humility are the eternal allies of wholeness. 

Working alongside honesty and humility doesn't mean that life will be perfect and without difficulties. As a matter of fact, it may seem like the opposite at times but it does not diminish their value. Too often we’re looking for others to validate us (looking outwardly), and in many situations this is a healthy and normal response to have. But when we’re DEPENDENT on external factors to bolster our self-esteem, creativity, sense of overall well-being and value, then we are easily tossed about like a small boat upon reckless waves. Honesty and humility are a lighthouse not only for ourselves, but also for others in an otherwise confusing and sometimes terrifying journey through life. 

DISCLAIMER: As we grow in honesty and humility an awareness of a different struggle within ourselves will take place. Whatever we set out to do with integrity will face opposition. Opposition from within, and opposition from without. These are GROWING PAINS. They are forming the foundation that will withstand the places, situations and memories that once rattled us. Upon this foundation we can then begin to safely build everything we have in our hearts. 

TO WHOMEVER IS COURAGEOUS ENOUGH TO SQUARELY FACE THEMSELVES AS THEY ARE, THEY WILL UNDOUBTEDLY EXPERIENCE TREASURES NO AMOUNT OF MONEY CAN BUY, AND ENJOY A LIFE TRULY WORTH LIVING. 


2.5 Honesty and Humility - Allies of Integrity.

Community:

People need people. Communities inspire, innovate and provide a place for individuals in those communities to use their talents, abilities, giftings, resources and vision to participate in something greater than themselves. To be a part of something bigger than us provides a sense of purpose and belonging. Communities contribute to solving real world problems. Healthy communities welcome fresh ideas, and have concern for the well-being of everyone involved. Communities supply more than enough opportunity to sharpen interpersonal relationships through conflict resolution, reconciliation, teamwork, constructive criticism, feedback, group conscience, mentorship, and fulfilling a common goal. A healthy community understands the importance of each part (person) and the value they bring to the table. It is essential to keep in mind that with people being people, and at different places in our lives (concerning character development) our collective dysfunction spills over into everything around us. Being in a community is not without its challenges, as there are many moving parts, and with a collective made up of individual parts things can get messy. What is the solution? Integrity. If dysfunction spills over onto others, so does wholeness. A community that strives for wholeness is a community that will see the change they set out to make.  

Accountability:

A simple definition for accountability is to give an answer for our lives. We can hold ourselves accountable by taking stock of our assets and liabilities and having a practical gameplan in place to begin changing the way we look at life and all of its moving parts, as well as discovering what makes us tick. These blueprints will reveal a roadmap about our personalities, attitudes, beliefs and positive/negative attributes.(These will be presented and explained in future courses) Perspective is key, and it’s not uncommon to have jaded or destructive ways of seeing things due to our lived experiences. (These tools will be presented and explained in future courses). Having a counsellor or trusted mentor is another effective way to receive feedback in a safe and honoring environment (as a suggestion). We need people with a proven track record and the right equipment to assist us on our journeys. Accountability should not result in shame, but rather a clear and deepening perspective of how our thoughts, words and behaviors are affecting ourselves and others. Healthy accountability isn’t just about pointing out where we’ve gone wrong, or what needs improvement, but a greater measure of praise and validation. There is an accepted concept amongst behavioral scientists that for every criticism there should be five or more positive things said that follow. It should be noted that a counsellor can be anyone that will tell us the truth, even if it stings a little, but also someone who isn’t going to judge us for our mishaps. The point is to find someone trustworthy and wise enough to hold our secrets, but also to help us look at things differently, pointing us in the direction of the best versions of ourselves. 

Let us consider finding a community that challenges the areas of our lives that need refining, holds us accountable to our words and actions, and provides a safety net for self discovery and character development. It doesn’t need to be perfect to get started. “If the farmer waits for the weather to be perfect before sowing their seed, then the seed will never be sown”. 



2.6 Community and Accountability

Dissecting Integrity - A Basic Understanding of Integrity

Congratulations! We've made it this far, but thankfully this is just the beginning. 


Final thought: 

Integrity isn't just about being a GOOD person, but rather integrity is about being a WHOLE person. Every person on earth has a personal sense of justice. We collectively understand that people shouldn't be treated a certain way, or have to live without the basic necessities that make life tolerable. We see greed and suffering everywhere we look. Wars, rumors of wars, anxiety galore and an increasing feeling of hopelessness. There IS a solution: It starts with integrity. 

Please join the rest of us on this journey to wholeness in the next courses offered. We will discover the power of the apology followed by action. We will explore belief systems and human instincts that are no longer serving us, and how to turn these beliefs and instincts into assets that work for us. We will examine and practice blueprints for internal change in real world situations. We will find ways to improve upon our perspectives and allow wholeness to uniquely shape each one of us. There's so much in store. 

Change begins with us! 

If there are any questions or concerns about this topic and would like to connect with me, please find me on my X account @BigSwan20. My handle is BrixG aka BigSwan. 

I look forward to hearing from you!

Conclusion

Integrity is ancient. Some would speculate that it is timeless in it's origins. This course breaks down what it is, why it is vital to a life worth living, and prepares the reader for the practical applications necessary to cultivate integrity found in the following courses. 


Be immovable in your dreams and have the character to back it up. 

Integrity: More Than Just a Fancy Word for Being a Good Person

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