Being a good person is not about doing the right thing because someone else is watching you, it is about always doing the right thing because YOU are watching. You must have that litmus test within your own soul that governs your ability to operate at a level that cannot be altered by the simple thrill of any unethical enticement. Integrity cannot be persuaded or changed through peer pressure. Integrity is hard wired within your being like your heart that beats on command without any direct help or assistance on your part. Integrity cannot be subject to negotiations. Integrity weighs all the consequences of every action that can be taken before it reacts.
Sometimes it is very easy to do the right thing. Doing what is right comes quite easily when you believe you will get some kind of credit or reward. It is also not very difficult to do what is right if you are afraid that there may be negative consequences to doing something wrong.
Integrity is different. When you have a good sense of integrity, and allow it to be the leading force in your daily life, you will do the right thing simply because it is the right thing to do. Instead of fearing the consequences of doing wrong, your own conscience will dictate that stronger drive of how much better the right thing feels to your spirit. You will not need rewards or praises, because how you feel about yourself is a wonderful reward in itself.
It should be easy to see how important integrity is in your life. It is also paramount to how well you will get along with other people. When you are known to others as a person of good character who can always be trusted to do the right thing, your integrity will help other people respect you. It will enhance your relationships with the people who are in your life, and lead you to have a great reputation even amongst those who do not know you well.
When you live your life with integrity, you will also be a positive example, especially for younger people. They will know that you can be counted on to do the right thing, and they will want to be the same way. By observing your behavior children can learn how to be trustworthy.
A strong sense of integrity will benefit you, also. When you let your conscience guide you to do the right thing in all situations, you will feel good about yourself. Even more important, you will have earned the pride that you feel. Instead of waiting for an opportunity to do the right thing, if you really think about it there are many such opportunities in your life every day. When your conscience is more important than fear or rewards, your integrity will be one of the best parts of your life.
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