Integrity

"Each human being has an integrity that can be hurt only by the act of that same human being and not by the act of another human being."

- Friends' Proverb

A flag of surrender?
Yes.
To give up placing blame on others for one's own actions, choices, and one's own character... and to take responsibility for one's self.

Another person may injure us physically, yes.
But another person cannot injure one's integrity.

What exactly is meant by a person's integrity?

It can be defined as "the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness."  Integrity also has many synonyms, such as honor, good character, principle, ethics, morals, virtue.  However, Merriam-Webster offers the best of definitions, in my opinion: "a firm adherence to a code of especially moral values: incorruptibility," and "of an unimpaired condition: soundness," or the quality or state of being completed or undivided.

Many people appear to have never given any thought to their personal code of values.  They have generally been schooled for twelve years, trained for a certain type of work, and learned by the examples of their parents, the media, and their peers.  They may train their bodies with physical exercise, and groom themselves well to present their best appearance. Yet, how many have given thought to the development of their character, or to the soundness of their being.

How many people do not even understand that they possess personal integrity and, in a self-determined fashion, they have control over it?  Having personal control means being accountable for what they choose to do, as well as how they respond.

Without such an understanding, the Friends' Proverb above appears to make little sense.  "Surely, if a guy just hits you over the head with a bat it is going to hurt!"  Obviously.  It would hurt terribly in the physical sense.  However, the personal integrity of the one doing the act of violence would be damaged.  That person has chosen to corrupt their own character, while the physically injured party's integrity remains intact.

A person is not just a body; a person possesses more than a mind that thinks and a heart that feels. A person has a conscience, a soul, a spirit.  Doctors tend to treat the body, psychiatrists tend to treat the mind; and various counselors tend to instruct the heart.  Which specialist deals with one's integrity?

I would like to challenge myself, as well as anyone who stumbles upon this obscure blog.  The challenge is to take more than a few moments to write a description of your own integrity, its characteristics, its strengths. Then, write a description of what you see as the integrity you wish to aspire to.   Compare the two descriptions.  In what areas are you happy with your level of integrity. In what areas do you need to improve, or want to improve.  Define the areas of weakness and develop a plan to grow and mature. 

No one is a static being.  We all change.  Much of that change is self-determined.  It's been said that "failing to plan is planning to fail."  Focus on one virtue at a time, if that is how you best reach your goals.  Meditate on the Book of Proverbs, one chapter per day, if you find it helpful.  (I do!) 

Ask yourself:  what kind of person do you wish to be?  Define the integrity you wish to possess... then change.

You can do it.

If you want to.

Do you?