Integrity - A Quality That We Should Expect
Integrity: the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.
Not enough value is placed on integrity today. Those in a position of influence, who should be displaying this characteristic are choosing to behave in a manner that is amoral or unethical. It seems that each decade it has progressively gotten worse as nobody seems to be holding them accountable for their actions. When did we decide as a society that integrity doesn't matter?
Somewhere along the way deceit, corruption, disgrace, and dishonor have become the norm for many. They have no problem bullying, chastising and mocking others in public, on television and also social media; calling it their "truth". The sad thing in all of this is that we have either become immune to, or beaten down, by this behavior. Our children deserve to have better role models, and we should demand it from those in a position to influence them.
People of integrity do exist in our communities and we see them every day, even if we are not consciously aware at that moment. They are parents, teachers, police officers, fire fighters, doctors, nurses, students and so many others doing the right thing because it is the honorable way to live. They are the type of people we want our children and grandchildren to look up to and aspire to be like.
Although they are fictional characters, television has given us some great role models; men and women like Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Agent Seeley Booth, Sheriff Longmire, Captain Sharon Raider, Detective Kate Beckett, Agent Maggie Bell and so many others. These characters demonstrate more integrity than those influencing our world today. They are not perfect by any means - they have their flaws and struggle with them at times. However they have the fundamental character traits that are tremendously important, and they believe in living honorably and doing the right thing. They also believe in being good citizens in their community and country. A life of integrity which should be the norm for all of us. They are people that we would feel honored to spend time with and call a friend.
It is not old fashioned or unrealistic to expect honesty and morality from one another. We need to be engaged and start expecting more from the ones trying to influence society; ensure they know that we will not tolerate amoral, unethical and abusive behavior.
If the influencers choose to live without integrity, then we need to stand up and remove them from a position of influence. It is our obligation to hold them accountable.
Not enough value is placed on integrity today. Those in a position of influence, who should be displaying this characteristic are choosing to behave in a manner that is amoral or unethical. It seems that each decade it has progressively gotten worse as nobody seems to be holding them accountable for their actions. When did we decide as a society that integrity doesn't matter?
Somewhere along the way deceit, corruption, disgrace, and dishonor have become the norm for many. They have no problem bullying, chastising and mocking others in public, on television and also social media; calling it their "truth". The sad thing in all of this is that we have either become immune to, or beaten down, by this behavior. Our children deserve to have better role models, and we should demand it from those in a position to influence them.
People of integrity do exist in our communities and we see them every day, even if we are not consciously aware at that moment. They are parents, teachers, police officers, fire fighters, doctors, nurses, students and so many others doing the right thing because it is the honorable way to live. They are the type of people we want our children and grandchildren to look up to and aspire to be like.
Although they are fictional characters, television has given us some great role models; men and women like Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Agent Seeley Booth, Sheriff Longmire, Captain Sharon Raider, Detective Kate Beckett, Agent Maggie Bell and so many others. These characters demonstrate more integrity than those influencing our world today. They are not perfect by any means - they have their flaws and struggle with them at times. However they have the fundamental character traits that are tremendously important, and they believe in living honorably and doing the right thing. They also believe in being good citizens in their community and country. A life of integrity which should be the norm for all of us. They are people that we would feel honored to spend time with and call a friend.
It is not old fashioned or unrealistic to expect honesty and morality from one another. We need to be engaged and start expecting more from the ones trying to influence society; ensure they know that we will not tolerate amoral, unethical and abusive behavior.
If the influencers choose to live without integrity, then we need to stand up and remove them from a position of influence. It is our obligation to hold them accountable.
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