| MAY I |
| INTEGRITY |
“The best of me for the world and the best of the world for me.” ~Author Unknown |
INTEGRITY COMMENTARY: The two most important things one must learn about living a life of Integrity is
to own your behaviors, your actions, and of course to be genuine: Flawed and fabulous, saint, or sinner, loving
and angry, all of these attributes helps comprise a human being and are part and parcel of living a life of
Integrity.
The greatest edict which runs through all major religions is “To Create No Harm.” So how does a flawed human
being live up to this seemingly impossible standard. It seems as though we are being set up to fail. However, I
have found that the most important thing when it comes to “creating harm,” is intention.
But intention has its pitfalls. Marcus Tullius Cicero was aware of this when he wrote, “the road to hell is paved
with good intentions.” I think Cicero was trying to point out that many of us are in denial about our actual
intentions. One needs to be acutely aware of the intentions behind their actions. If your intention is to “fix
someone” rather than supporting them into finding their own way, or to rescue them from themselves, rather
than letting them deal with the consequences of their own actions, or manipulate them into accepting what you
believe is truth, then your intentions are askew.
Nevertheless, we are here to teach each other and it is honorable to share our life's experience, but it is not up
to us to attempt to recreate a being that has already been created and is in process of self actualization. One
can only work on their own Integrity and model to others to do the same. As many wise teachers have said,
“Example is always the best teacher.”
We are called to best person you were created to be, which is often a difficult calling. A person of Integrity
admits to their failings and makes amends when necessary. This person aspires to be harmless to all living
things, but is aware that circumstances may cause us to slip into a moment of cruelty. A person of Integrity
stands firm on the Universal Truth of Harmlessness, by developing a moral code from this Truth and adhering
to it to, as much as they possibly can. Also, they are willing to accept the consequences of their actions, rather
than trying to weasel out of them. The most important attributes of a person of Integrity is that they respect
all life, honor the life paths of others, and recognize that all of their actions affect everyone.
Therefore, if you want to be a person of Integrity just be “real” and honor your uniqueness. It is not an
accident that you were born in to this world, to be perfect in your own way. It is obvious that the world needs
you, otherwise you would not be here. Therefore you have two choices; you can chose to either unleash more
suffering in our world of or set of chain reaction of goodness by being the best you, you can be.
to own your behaviors, your actions, and of course to be genuine: Flawed and fabulous, saint, or sinner, loving
and angry, all of these attributes helps comprise a human being and are part and parcel of living a life of
Integrity.
The greatest edict which runs through all major religions is “To Create No Harm.” So how does a flawed human
being live up to this seemingly impossible standard. It seems as though we are being set up to fail. However, I
have found that the most important thing when it comes to “creating harm,” is intention.
But intention has its pitfalls. Marcus Tullius Cicero was aware of this when he wrote, “the road to hell is paved
with good intentions.” I think Cicero was trying to point out that many of us are in denial about our actual
intentions. One needs to be acutely aware of the intentions behind their actions. If your intention is to “fix
someone” rather than supporting them into finding their own way, or to rescue them from themselves, rather
than letting them deal with the consequences of their own actions, or manipulate them into accepting what you
believe is truth, then your intentions are askew.
Nevertheless, we are here to teach each other and it is honorable to share our life's experience, but it is not up
to us to attempt to recreate a being that has already been created and is in process of self actualization. One
can only work on their own Integrity and model to others to do the same. As many wise teachers have said,
“Example is always the best teacher.”
We are called to best person you were created to be, which is often a difficult calling. A person of Integrity
admits to their failings and makes amends when necessary. This person aspires to be harmless to all living
things, but is aware that circumstances may cause us to slip into a moment of cruelty. A person of Integrity
stands firm on the Universal Truth of Harmlessness, by developing a moral code from this Truth and adhering
to it to, as much as they possibly can. Also, they are willing to accept the consequences of their actions, rather
than trying to weasel out of them. The most important attributes of a person of Integrity is that they respect
all life, honor the life paths of others, and recognize that all of their actions affect everyone.
Therefore, if you want to be a person of Integrity just be “real” and honor your uniqueness. It is not an
accident that you were born in to this world, to be perfect in your own way. It is obvious that the world needs
you, otherwise you would not be here. Therefore you have two choices; you can chose to either unleash more
suffering in our world of or set of chain reaction of goodness by being the best you, you can be.
| REPEAT ASPIRATION EVERY DAY FOR 7 DAYS WEEK 1 ASPIRATION: Today, I aspire to pay attention to my intentions and motivations when I am dealing with myself and others. SUPPORTS ~DAY 1~ Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts.” ~Charles Dickens ~DAY 2~ “There is always a way to be honest without being brutal.” ~Arthur Dobrin ~DAY 3~ “Everyone should carefully observe which way his heart draws him, and then choose that way with all his strength.” ~Hasidic Saying ~DAY 4~ “Character is doing the right thing when nobody's looking.” ~J.C. Watts ~DAY 5~ “A person's actions depict the heart, not the words they say.” ~Brian Lee ~DAY 6~ "Do not be too moral, you may cheat yourself out of much life. Aim above morality. Be not simply good; be good for something." ~Henry David Thoreau ~DAY 7~ REST AND REVIEW Now, without judgment review your week. This week there were times I was crystal clear on my intentions and motivations. Now breathe in how it felt. Then breathe out the wish for everyone to share in feeling of understanding their real intentions. Now, look at your short-falls. This week I there were times I caught myself manipulating and trying to fix things. Breathe in your painful emotion of not honoring the path of anothor and breathe out the wish: May all those who feel the need to control things be spared from this feeling. Feel free to use your own words in this practice. |
| POEM EXCERPT: “You do not have to be good. You do not have to walk on your knees for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting. You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves...” ~Excerpt from Wild Geese by Mary Oliver |
| REPEAT ASPIRATION EVERY DAY FOR 7 DAYS WEEK 2 ASPIRATION: Today, I aspire to honor my own uniqueness and find ways that I can use it to benefit others in my life, knowing I am the perfect me. SUPPORTS ~DAY 1~ “It is easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to them.” ~Alfred Adler ~DAY 2~ I use to stand up for what I believe, now, I believe in what I stand up for.” ~Marie-Suzanne Labelle ~DAY 3~ “You do not wake up one morning a bad person. It happens by a thousand tiny surrenders of self-respect to self-interest.” ~Robert Brault ~DAY 4~ “There is no pillow so soft as a clear conscience.” ~French Proverb ~DAY 5~ “A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.” ~Mark Twain ~DAY 6~ I have had more trouble with myself than with any other man I have ever met.” ~Dwight Lyman Moody ~DAY 7~ REST AND REVIEW Now, without judgment review your week. This week there were times I was able to clearly see what qualities I possess, which can benefit others in my life. Now breathe in how it felt. Then breathe out the wish for everyone to share in feeling of seeing their own benefit to this world. Now, look at your short-falls. This week I there were times I found myself trying to be something I am not. Breathe in the feeling of not honoring yourself and breathe out the wish: May all those who feel they are not enough, be spared from this feeling. Feel free to use your own words in this practice. |
| This video was created by A Gossamer Heart. Please use this link to visit us at our YouTube Channel to view more of our videos. |
| "LIVE WITH INTEGRITY" |