Integrity (or the lack thereof!)

I wrote this a while back as my contribution to a discussion on integrity, or the lack thereof, in our nation's leaders and citizens.


The word 'Integrity' or, rather, the more popular phrase,
'lack of integrity' is often bandied amongst us
when we are, yet again, complaining about our
politicians, some nouveau-riche people, public
servants or some business partner or colleague who has
been less than upfront in their dealings with us.

But how often, if ever, do we wonder how much
integrity we have or lack? How much of it comes into
play in our personal dealings? Will our driver or maid
say we have integrity or that we lack it? Will our
children, if they can understand and grasp the meaning
of the word, say we have it or lack it? Will our
spouses, friends, family, if being totally honest
confirm that we have integrity?

We often renege on promises made, deals brokered, vows
taken but we never really see that as lacking in
integrity, do we? No, we just tell ourselves that we
are only human! Yet, it is really easy to brand others
as lacking integrity.
Do not get me wrong, I do not
endorse, neither applaud nor admire our dishonest
so-called leaders or public servants with sticky
fingers.
Integrity is a way of life, not just a description or
a virtue.
So, who can honestly and truly say, "I do NOT lack
integrity"?
If we can, as MJ's popular song goes, start "with the
man (or woman) in the mirror" then maybe, just maybe,
this "Integrity" will be infused into our way of life
in this country as opposed to just remaining a word we
love to use when belly-aching about what is not right with this nation of ours!

Comments

  1. Anonymous11/12/09 4:39 pm

    Hi Dearie,

    I sent you an email - to google mail yesterday, did you get it? I just wanted to say a Heart Congratulations to you both and big sister Iman.
    God bless you Dear and take good care,

    Bola (Bolabanjo02@yahoo.com)

    ReplyDelete

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