A life of Integrity

We are all responsible for our own decisions and actions, and most of us are in favor of living in a peaceful, prosperous, happy and healthy community. I would imagine, therefore, that most of us would agree that living a life of integrity adds to the dignity of all the individuals in the community one lives in. So I find it curious that even though the majority of people would agree that living a life of integrity adds to the dignity of all, still, many of these same people are making a living that ends up taking away other people’s dignity and respect more then adding to it.

Obviously, people acting in a certain way or making a living at the expense of another such as: pimps, pedophiles, drug lords and arms runners, would not be welcomed into the type of community in which many of us want to live or raise a family in. Yet, how many professions are there, in our communities, in which people choose, or fall into, that also take away a person’s dignity and respect in similar ways as if they were a pimp, pedophile, drug lord or arms runner?

I suppose almost any person, in almost any profession, can mostly choose to execute their objectives, goals, duties or missions with integrity therefore providing a base line of dignity for all people in their community with whom they may interact with. Yet, how often is integrity kept intact, in any line of work, so the dignity of others can be preserved?

Human nature can be: mean, spiteful and controlling, all behaviors that do not add to the dignity of another. One way people control others is by the disrespectful ways in which they treat them. People often seek power on any level that they can find it. Sometimes the only power a person has is the decision to treat another rudely instead of courteously. or even worse instill fear in another. How many people, especially those in authority, ever feel guilty for not keeping their integrity intact while communicating with another, especially those with whom they may have some sort power over?

Ever notice how rude and gruff police officers can be when they pull you over for going six miles over the speed limit on a country road with no houses, or pedestrians in sight? I remember doing a documentary in which the local police officers did a play act skit of stopping someone for speeding and driving under the influence. I had to laugh at their acting because in all my decades of police encounters I never had one when police officers were as courteous and polite to the driver as these officers were. Knowing they were on camera, the officers were on their best behavior, acting with integrity therefore automatically keeping the driver’s dignity in tact as they went about their business. I wish all police officers acted with such integrity when dealing with the people in their communities. Sadly, however, with the camera off, they reverted back to their old, comfortable behaviors;, sometimes believing they need to act like rabid dogs to gain control over their hard core, road criminal going six miles over the speed limit on a deserted, country road. Do teachers, principals, salespeople, ministers, insurance men, lawyers, business owners, corporate workers, doctors, nurses, secretaries, merchants, selectmen, librarians more often then not choose to act with integrity when dealing with others, or making choices and decisions? What about you? How often do you keep your integrity in tact for the benefit of the dignity for all, especially those in your community and everyday life?