INTEGRITY MONTH: DAY 31: “Compromising your principles, even one time, can be a terrible mistake.” ― Frank Sonnenberg
We all have had that feeling…knowing we did something that was not exactly the highest we know to do. I certainly have. I have lied when I didn’t want to, really. I have cheated when I knew that I was doing it. I have stolen from someone.
These feelings of remorse, guilt, shame, whatever can eat us alive. I know that I have to be clean with myself before I can remain in the “Sunlight of the Spirit.”
When I am cutting corners, even with something that is only for me, I know it in my heart. I feel cheated, even though I can justify and explain it to myself. I can always create the story that makes it seemingly okay to cut the corners. But I always know. And there is no joy in the doing of something if I am cutting corners on it with any of my energy or time or whatever.
Only my very best efforts pay off in dividends that feel good for me. If I skimp on the quality of time and energy I put into making something, for instance; there is no joy or enjoyment of the thing I have made. I quite often craft or sew or crochet or cook or write or otherwise create things for myself and others. If I know I have put only half effort into it, I do not feel good about having it, nor about giving it away. It feels like a half-assed gift to whomever it goes to.
That isn’t how I am made. Even if it isn’t a very well-made item (I try!), I always know whether I gave it my best or not.
How then, can I justify doing a half-assed job on anything else? At work, in doing service, in my home or with loved ones? On these steps?
There are no loopholes or shortcuts in principles. They really are pure in nature. We practice them, which means we are going to fall short of the goals they represent.
But, that is often the result of acting in fear and greed. Those are the drivers of most of my character defects anyway…but that is for next month…tomorrow…see you then!
Dolphin Hug 