Integrity, is it a lost art?

[Contratrombone64]

I was awake early, so foolishly turned on the T.V. (to waste time). There was some moronic preacher going on about religious crap. He mentioned the word integrity and ask if we truely live with integrity. Not just on Sundays.

Now, that's a difficult ask, in my opinion. I mean: I took home a pen from work (without even giving it a second thought). Did I behave with integrity? No, that's theft.

I'd like to have said, until this morning that I live with a grasp of integrity and try to treat people with respect. Unfortunately, it's just not hard wired into the human being, is it? Food for thought...

[Krummhorn]

CT64,

I don't think taking (borrowing) a pen from work is any different from me bringing home an organist hymnal from church. It doesn't lower our integrity level, as you and I are the only ones who know about it (well, now everyone on MIMF knows ... lol).

I think with the pen, it's an innocent mistake, one you realized when you got home and I'm sure it will find its way back to the workplace tomorrow ... at that point, it's not theft. If we take a piece of paper from work with a self written reminder note on it, is that also theft?

Integrity, imho, has more to do with ethical issues and morality as it pertains to the daily work we do, not necessarily with what tools (pen, paper, etc) we use to perform our daily routines.

We also build or lose integrity amongst our fellow human beings ... I always try to treat everyone I know with the greatest respect on this forum ... I would do the same without the regulator hat, as that is just who I am ... wearing that hat does not make me a better person, it possibly means I have established a level of integrity with Frederik Magle, a man whom I have great respect for.

Hard wired? It's ones own self perception that determines that ... I could not begin to count how many pens I innocently borrowed from the place I worked for 25 years (now retired from there) - must have been hundreds ... doesn't make it right, but I do believe they got their monies worth out of me as an employee.

Your initial question: Integrity, is it a lost art? My answer: No ... but ... it needs to be cultivated each day, and after each day we can only look back as we cannot change what is done ... and look towards the next day when we can make a difference.

[Contratrombone64]

yes well, the exampel of the pen was purely incidental, not meant to the be focus of the dialogue.

But thanks for your insights!

[methodistgirl]

Integrity just means to be honest. There are not that many people
out there that are honest and don't put on a face. I can understand
your point. Don't worry about a little inkpen. Just bring it back and
it's probably not even missed. Okay?
judy tooley

[Contratrombone64]

Like I said, the pen was purely an example (I didn't even steal one, honest!!)

[Corno Dolce]

Integrity has also to do with how we communicate with other people, engage in upbuilding discourse instead of withering criticism. Imho, it also has a direct bearing on how we treat the other, if we choose to be SOB's or genuinely go that extra step to help the other discover a better way.

[marval]

Unfortunately in some people integrity seems to be lost, but in most cases I would say no, it still exists. I would like to think that it is something I have.


Margaret

[rojo]

Well, I really think we should go into a more in depth and detailed discussion about that pen.





Just yankin' your chain, CT64.

I dunno; I tend to have faith in humanity, call me a fool. But I think most peeps at least try to behave with integrity. There's always a few bad apples, but for the most part peeps have integrity.

Of course there are different levels of integrity, and perceptions of integrity will vary from one person to the next, so....

Yeah, hard question to answer.

I think all the peeps here at MIMF have integrity. (except the spammers of course. )

[methodistgirl]

I will tell you what I think brings on integrety. I noticed that you
have a good concience. A good concience will make you feel bad
about it if you did something wrong or thought you did something
wrong. I don't know how many times I've had to appologize to
people because I felt I did that person wrong in some way. I've
had to apologize to my favorite preacher my third time last fall
because I grabbed his shoulder and some preachers are kinda
touchy about that. This one just looked at me and smiled and
said,"'That's all right. You shake hands when we meet and that's
touching me. I understand.". My concience hurt until I did say
I was sorry.

[marval]

I still think integrity is alive and well.

Don't worry CT I am sure you didn't steal any pen, here is someone who did have pen stealing in mind though.

www.metacafe.com/watch/949112/cat_on_pen_stealing


Margaret

[Contratrombone64]

That is quite gorgeous!! Cats can be just so naughty!

[marval]

Hi CT

Yes cats can be very naughty. No integrity there.


Margaret