A reputation of integrity is worth more than any amount of money a person can give you. Integrity provides a willingness by others to rely and become open with you, which is something of great honor and responsibility to be given that should not be taken lightly and nor faltered on.
For those reasons integrity has always been at the top of my core beliefs in life. It has been a life long belief that was instilled in me from an early age. To me integrity is defined as truth and responsibility, not just as a firm adherence to moral values. Truth is not just being honest to others, but being true to yourself. Being true with yourself is the first step to integrity because if one can’t be honest and straightforward with oneself, you cannot expect to be truthful to others. Once one has obtained truthfulness one must be responsible with its results. A person can recognize integrity and it is of great responsibility to yourself and others to not succumb to any pressures that might compromise it. I understand that no one is perfect, but I strive my best to never give into any pressures that may come around. These two characteristics of my founding core belief are key to how I conduct myself from day to day.
This core value was not hatched overnight because of some cataclysmic event, but rather as a result of great parenting and thirteen years of Parochial school in which I dealt with priests and nuns from the Benedictine and Augustinian orders. This is where my integrity for an up and coming young man was expected and nothing less would be tolerated. My expected integrity has established how others perceive me and are willing to count on me. The reason being I stand behind what I say because knowing what I tell people is truthful and can be relied upon. It is this reason that my integrity has enhanced my daily living. Being able to be relied on and having others around you that share this same feeling are priceless. It is that feeling of joy and comfort that enhance my daily life and it is for those reasons I strive never compromise my integrity.
These founding characteristics of my core belief have also made me a better person because of the way I conduct myself. I hold myself to these standards because I was taught that these are the virtues that a professional and good hearted individual contain. Overall, by holding myself to the standard of integrity is the way I have been able to lead a life of joy and comfort.