“Sometimes, it’s hard to do the right thing.”
I’ve heard this comment several times in the recent past but it always surprises me!
Is our society falling short on integrity?
Integrity helps us to do the right thing.
Integrity
Choosing courage over comfort;
Choosing what is right over what is fun, or easy;
And choosing to practice our values rather than simply professing them.
Brene Brown
Integrity requires self-awareness, self-control and commitment to upholding one’s values and principles when in the face of temptation or pressure – even when no one is watching.
It is choosing your thoughts and actions based on your principled values rather than personal gain. People of integrity do not hide their reactions or opinions. They do not manipulate others through deception, peer pressure, guilt or shame, and they do not pretend.
Integrity is not about being popular. It may mean extreme unpopularity because, you did the ‘right thing,’ regardless of popular opinion – integrity does take courage. Doing the right thing regardless of popular opinion can cost you family, friends, your livelihood or worse case scenario, your life.
Having integrity does not mean that you will never make mistakes. It does however mean that you have learned valuable life lessons from your mistakes and taken honest measures to correct them. In other words, you have gained some wisdom from your mistakes and evolved into a better person.
Integrity happens when inner-wisdom matches the decisions we make and act upon.
“Sometimes, it’s hard to do the right thing.”
Is it? Or, have we just become too afraid to do the right thing? If so, what does this say about the society we live in? Corruption lacks integrity.
Using integrity is about being able to live with your own conscience.
When you are true to yourself, it’s easy to do the right thing.
Have courage.
Remember: Using integrity is a reward!
Thank-you for following, reading, sharing and commenting – The Trefoil Muse
The Trefoil Muse 
I hate doing the “right” thing. That often means following somebody else’s rules for morality, while abandoning my own.
So I look at integrity a little differently. I see it as a way of building trust with others. Every action we engage in, whether observed by others or not, affects our demeanor. Our demeanor sends silent signals to others about our trustworthiness. And this can make a big difference on the decisions others make on whether or not to deal with us, or even associate with us.
Those without integrity often find themselves avoided by others, and lonely, and without help. And they often can’t figure out why. Well, the answer is in their demeanor.
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Excellent points, Tippy! However, I also believe if you have integrity, ‘doing the right thing’ can mean you need to break rules, tradition, etc. because you have an inner guidance system that goes beyond so you act with high moral values, and that would become evident in your demeanor.
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That’s sort of what I meant. When somebody tells me to do the right thing, I often wonder what that person’s agenda is. I prefer to be true to myself. On the other hand, that requires building an inner guidance system, which it seems some people have failed to do.
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Yes, I understand what you meant now… I usually laugh a little to myself when someone has the audacity to say, ‘do the right thing, ‘ because it then takes on a manipulative tone! 😃 😊
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Very true about a person’s demeanor. I feel that I am a pretty good jidge of character and can pick up on someone’s trustworthiness fairly quickly.
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That’s nice. And for the record, you can always trust me. I would never troll anybody’s posts.
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After reading your Amazon review, I’d trust you, Tippy! 😉
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Heh-heh, thanks. But apparently, Amazon doesn’t trust me.
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Maybe they will attempt a better bribe next time then… lmao 🤣 😂 🤣
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Exactly. $20?! Meh.
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😆🤣😁 I would really look forward to an even more scathing review on your blog if they tried to bribe you again! I takes integrity to out a company as large as Amazon! You made me proud!
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Believe it or not, they sent me a follow up email threatening to ban me if I continued to write reviews like this. That left me riled up, so I decided to refer the matter to my Congressman.
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🫢 I’m flabbergasted! I’m glad you sent it to your congressman!
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I’m not expecting much. No doubt Amazon contributed to his campaign, as they probably contribute to all politicians. But I thought, what the hell, at least give someone in government a chance to address this corruption.
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Absolutely! Plus, let them work for you, the people!
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I’d boycott them in support, but I’ve never used Amazon! Lol
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I have an account with them, and use them frequently. But I’m now staying on the alert for alternatives.
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😂 Right! 0f that I am 100 percent certain!
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I believe you can, Carolyn! It takes me a while… Trust is earned. However, people of great moral character usually have an unmistakable demeanor.
For example, I’m fairly certain I would trust you quite quickly! 😉
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Aww! Thank you Nadine!🥰 and I feel the same with you.
I remember telling my children when they were in those crazy teen years that I will trust them until they give me a reason not too. Then they have to earn it back.
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Excellent advice! We raised our children in a similar manner.
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Wonderfully insightful post, Nadine! Thank you!
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😊 Thank-you, Terry!
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“…have we just become too afraid to do the right thing?” I think in these times of cancel culture, people are afraid of even talking about what might be right.
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Great point, Margy! People have become apprehensive about speaking up in case they get attacked by the overly sensitive cancel culture mob who seem to dwell on drama because it gets more attention than acting with integrity would!
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Very good post! Integrity is so important for if one can’t be trusted, that can be the root of so many problems!
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Excellent point! 😁
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