What is Integrity?

 

What is Integrity? 

The Oxford Reference Dictionary describes it in this way.

The quality of a person who can be counted upon to give precedence to moral considerations, even when there is strong inducement to let self-interest or some clamant desire override them, or where the betrayal of moral principle might pass undetected. To have integrity is to have unconditional and steady commitment to moral values and obligations.

Integrity is a huge thing. It is the very foundation of your character. Honestly, it is a fundamental principle of who we are or should strive to be. It is much like a muscle and should be exercised regularly. If not, it is weakened and lost.

As Masons, it is a part of our obligation (mine at least). Has a Brother come to you to get counsel and discuss a hardship, or a success? When you had your talk “On The Level,” did you leave it there? Or did you share that bit of information with someone else?

Part of my Eastern Star Obligations are that I will not speak evil or perform an act of unkindness against another, and I will protect their reputation so long as justice permits. That is not a direct wording, but you get the idea.

Have we made mistakes? Errors in judgment and actions? Of course, we have.  It would be silly to try to deny that simple truth. But when (Not if) we stub our big toe. Stand up and take ownership. Be open and honest about it.  Ask forgiveness from the offended, but also forgive the offender.  Remember in the words of Alexander Pope, “To err is human; to forgive divine”.

What about keeping a promise? We are only ever as good as our word. In my spiritual practice, there is a concept called the “Wiccan Rede of Chivalry,” which states: Your word must have the validity of a signed and witnessed oath. Thus, give thy word sparingly, but adhere to it like iron.

How often do we over-commit or give our word, and later something happens and we cannot fulfil it? It may be through no fault of our own. But we gave our word. How do we handle that and stay true to our integrity?  This is something I am wrestling with currently. I am a member of an organization, and my reasons for being involved have changed. Do I say forget it, take the initiative to find my replacement, throw up my hands, and walk away? Or do I finish out the year, fulfill my commitment, and see where it goes? The former would surely be the easiest, the latter the harder. But what would speak more to my character?

While we are on this subject, let me tell a quick story about integrity in action. I have not been shy that my wife and I have an open relationship. In the last year – year and a half, her partners had passed away.  I stood in the hospital room and watched her make a promise that she was not going anywhere, and their kids were hers. She would make sure they were ok. Now, the “kids” are in their 20s and adults. But, my wife still goes over a few times a week, helps with the house, and legal stuff that is still going on. She is helping and doing the best she can to make sure “her kids” land on their feet and are ok.  Could she have just walked away? Could have, some would have. She is “bench pressing” her integrity.

I think Integrity takes a bit of self-evaluation and self-discovery. What do we value, and how do we want to value it? Maybe the same questions we ask our shadow?

**Note on the picture. In all my years as a Mason, this is the only one I have ever seen that has been perfect. I like to use it as a reminder from time to time.

I love you, and may we govern ourselves accordingly