Integrity has always been something I’ve held close to me. For some reason, I’ve always had a hard time lying, or even omitting the truth — anyone could see right through me. Breaking the rules was something I never liked to do because I feared the possible punishment, or so I’d thought. In reality, it wasn’t punishment I was scared of…it was the way I’d feel about myself. Somewhere deep down, I’d be the one most disappointed in myself, and I hated the thought of that. With that said, I’m far from perfect. Have I strayed from the bounds of moral integrity? Absolutely. Were they my shining moments? Not a chance.

But what really is integrity?

Integrity is a core value that is commonly referred to as doing the right thing when nobody is looking. But it’s also doing the right thing when everyone is looking. Think about a time on a grade school playground when one individual is being bullied by the group you’re a part of. Integrity is having the wherewithal to not join in and take a stance and do the right thing, even if it’s unpopular.

You can tell 1000 truths, but a single lie can wash away all the trust someone has in you.

Integrity builds trust. Not just with others, but within yourself. If you lie to yourself about doing something, how can you trust yourself? And if you can’t trust yourself, how can you expect others to trust you?

This week, I encourage you to find somewhere in your life where you could be more honest with yourself or someone else.