What Integrity Means

by Terry Cole-Whittaker (17 November 2003)

Integrity means to be who you are. Being true to one’s self, one’s values, beliefs, and standards is essential when it comes to spiritual success. Everywhere around us people and situations are pulling at us to forget our priorities and fall back into old unwanted, unsatisfying and unproductive ways. That is why is is difficult to make the changes we would like. If we are to be, do and have what is important to us, we must be strong and courageous and therefore hold our own in any and all circumstances.

Questions you may have are:

• How can you be who you are and still please others?
• How do you deal with forces pulling on you?
• What is the best way to be strong?

This lesson will try to answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz at the end of this lesson.

Is seeking approval worth it?

When we pander for approval from others and trade our values and beliefs for it, we will suffer the consequences. We do this only because we think that others have something that we want and to get it, we must be as they want us to be. But let us ask this questions: “What will this cost me? And is it worth it?”

Goals require sacrifices

Whatever we want to attain, we must let go of the lesser in order to obtain the greater. Every goal requires sacrifices of this sort. Old habits of thinking and behaving prevent us from manifesting our topmost desires and goals. There is no way that one can continue to behave as a victim and also become victorious.

Be true to yourself

Allowing others to determine what we think, feel, say and do means that we shall become as they are. “To thine own self be true,” is a must if we are to be all that we are capable of becoming. Once we can see how we are swayed this way and that by the desires, words and actions of others, we can begin to make progress. Then an inner resolve to be true to one’s self, goals, ethics and principles needs to be made.

In conclusion

Points to remember are:

1. Avoid compromising situations
2. Keep your conversation on a high level and do not succumb to theirs
3. Keep your goal in mind and act accordingly

Then you should have integrity.

Jump to Where can you go from here? section

---

Integrity pays off

---

Mini-quiz to check your understanding

QUIZ

Self-check your understanding

1. What can happen when you desperately seek the approval of others?

   They may require you to do things against your valuesThat is correct. You are becoming a Champion. You will finally be accepted into the groupNot even close. Try another answer. They may disapprove of your behaviorSorry, not correct. Try another button.

2. Does the end justify the means?

   Yes, because winner have more integrity than losersOops! Wrong answer. Re-read the question and try again. Not if the means goes against your integrityCorrect. You must be a good person! As long as you aren't too dishonest about itSorry, not correct. Try another button.

3. Why shouldn't you allow others to determine your thoughts and actions?

   Because you may not be true to yourselfThat is correct. You are becoming a Champion. Because they may not pay you what you deserveNot even close. Try another answer. Because it is too much effort to do what they wantOops! Wrong answer. Re-read the question and try again.

Pick an answer to see instant feedback. Re-read the lesson if you miss one.

If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a champion in having character If you had problems, you had better look over the material again.

---

Author

Terry Cole-Whittaker is a renowned, inspiring and motivating speaker, minister, and best-selling author in the areas of enlightenment, happiness, love, and prosperity. Under her leadership, as the Founder and Chairman of a non-profit educational foundation, Adventures in Enlightenment, Dr. Cole-Whittaker is building The International Institute of Sacred Knowledge in India, near New Delhi.

Her books include:

Ms. Cole-Whittaker’s website is at www.terrycolewhittaker.com and her email address is info@terrycolewhittaker.com.

---

What do you think?

Do you have any questions, comments, or opinions on this subject? If so, send an email with your feedback. We will try to get back to you as soon as possible.

Feel free to establish a link from your web site to pages in this site.

---