May 11

INTEGRITY MONTH: DAY 11: “There are intersections of integrity and temptation in every career and every life. The challenge is to do the right thing no matter what.” ― Bill Gates

I have had some tremendous teachers since coming here. I have watched them while they did things that I deem wrong for me, and I have seen their outcomes.

It is frenetic to live without a sense of comfort that all will be well if we just do the right thing. I know I have had times of incredible fear of financial devastation. And I have walked through times of very little in the way of resources. But, even when my brain tells me I need to steal or do something I know is wrong to get money, I have not done that.

There are often opportunities where I could  take short cuts or lie to get what I want, but I am better every day at not even considering those options.

The fear that dogs others has been removed, for the most part. When it does occur, I have an abundance of evidence that life has worked out well for me, each and every time I knew it was a doomed situation.

So I have seen a lot of “no matter what” situations. And the idea that doing anything other than the very best I can in each of them has never drawn me into acting outside of the moral compass I believe I was given as my connection to the Power that guides my course.

There is nothing in my life today that was gained by anything other than an integral path through this world. That feels better than all the accolades or applause or anything that can be gained. I don’t want those things like I once believed I did. I want only to live and die with myself as my best and dearest friend and love. Because I walk through the world the way I do, and it feels good to be me. I did not really believe that could happen, even though it was one of the promises held out to me when I got here.