Nurturing Integrity Towards a Better 2022

by: Ame-Phil O. Saquiban

“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely.”
 
Probably by now we have read several write-ups on how to start the year right. Most likely we have responded by contemplating on specific areas we would like to work on to achieve success or become a better version of ourselves. Perhaps others have taken it further by owning up to mistakes, taking responsibility for past actions and making efforts to restore broken relationships and trust.  Being true to your values is a good start to nurture integrity.
 
Integrity comes from the Latin word ‘integer’, which means whole and complete. We can then say that a person living in integrity gives no room to duplicity and hypocrisy.  Hence, one walks with honesty and upholds moral principles consistently whether alone or not. Regardless of circumstance, integrity drives us to make our thoughts, words and actions congruent to our values. For instance, we say we value excellence yet our most recent report clearly reflects a haphazardly done job. If we consider ourselves as a person with integrity, we will take responsibility for the lapses in the report without justifying or blaming and initiate action to produce an excellent output. In doing so, the importance we give to our values is not just in words but also in deeds. That makes integrity a lived experience and not a mere concept.
 
A sense of wholeness and completeness within is developed as we continue to live by the values and principles we confess to stand for. In every compromise we make, whether big or small, we move a step farther away from living in integrity. Most of the time compromises are followed by cover-up, lies, manipulation and a lot more to mask the real score. While we may get what we want by wrongful means, we are constantly haunted by our conscience or internally disturbed by fear of being caught. Deep within our hearts, we know that we did something wrong that hardly keeps us from experiencing real wholeness. Indeed, any departure from the truth puts us in a volatile position but when we walk in integrity, we walk securely.
 
Living in integrity is not perfection. It is a daily intentional and deliberate choice to be on the side of truth and make our thoughts, intentions, words and actions congruent to our values and principles. In the event that we deviate, be quick to repent and do what is right. For a better 2022 notwithstanding the current pandemic, nurture the value of integrity and experience wholeness within and in relating with your family, the workplace and community.