Does Integrity Mean Anything Anymore?

[Aafroqween Sanctuary]

It just never ceases to amaze me how little integrity means in the world these days. It is a seldom thought of word, even more seldom displayed action or attitude. Most of us are so caught up in just getting by that we don't stop to think about what is right, only about what is most expedient. When I say us, I have to acknowledge that I too have been caught up. But honestly, over the past several years after living so long shackled to expediency and convenience and quite frankly fear and weakness, AND PAYING THE PRICES; I have made great efforts to live with integrity because living without it made me a person I didn't like, didn't love, couldn't appreciate. The hard part is that just because one lives with integrity doesn't necessarily make life any easier. In fact it makes things harder just in a different way. Everyone around you starts looking at you like you grew a 2nd head. Most importantly though, when you do the right thing, it's amazing how you can sleep at night; the peace you have on the inside once you've conquered your fear of what everyone else might think. And believe me, despite what people might say, what they more often think is how they wish they could have been the one to stand up and say that or do that; even secret admiration. Ever been at work and you know something is just dead wrong? EVERYBODY has something to say about it, but nobody wants to DO anything about it. When you step up it's like..."Oh why are you trippin'? Just leave that alone?" Its always a thing like, "Well, as long as it's not me then..." But we all fail to realize that one day it will be us! I just get so frustrated and downright pissed that to be right you have to be going out on a limb, risking your security and or relationships even. Im in a situation where the right thing to do in a very important relationship in my life is being challenged in a major way by the very people who should be supporting it. It's painful and makes life terribly challenging. I just thank God that I found my way through worshiping Him, reading His word, praying and knowing that Jesus has been through so much worse, yet he still lived up to the epitome of INTEGRITY for our sake and was rewarded by The Father for it all. I hold onto this with faith, hope and determination to live the way I know is right. I don't claim to be perfect. None of us is, its a daily struggle. Some days we lose, hands down. Our weaknesses are great. Right now I am suffering the consequences from my own lack of integrity with managing my money. I didn't do anything malicious. I just let things slide when things got tough because it was easier, but now it has come back to haunt me. But it is me who has to pay the consequences. With a personal moral code that demands righteousness all the time, not just when it is simple, convenient or self serving; each of us can find the strength, the resolve, and the means to live more meaningful lives. I just wish we would all give a little more effort to be right more often and not accept that wrong is just so acceptable and normal. *Sigh* OK. Got that out! Peace Qweens.
In Love,
Fisiwe