Integrity

Written by cycleguy on October 21st, 2012

HILLY COMPLETED.  CHECK

BILL TIRED.  DOUBLE CHECK.

BILL HAPPY IT IS OVER.  TRIPLE CHECK.

Ever had those times when the brain just doesn’t seem to be working on all cylinders?  Yeah…that’s me.  After riding 57 miles on Saturday in 50 degree chilly and oftentimes drizzly weather, the ride came to an end.  About mile 48 my right knee started hurting, but I “gutted” it out for the next 9.  Not so sure that was a smart thing, but pride can be an ugly thing.

Pride…an ugly thing.  My oldest daughter, Tami, sent me a link last week to an article that I wanted to use.   I don’t suspect there is a person on the planet, at least one who listens to the news, who has not heard of the Lance Armstrong saga.  I have been truly saddened by it.  Not because he is my hero.  He isn’t.  He has proven himself to be less than honorable in some things.  His books are peppered with language I would not want my child to read or hear, especially from me.  As an agnostic, I know he is being true to his “calling.”  But I am saddened because 1) I have been a staunch supporter of “innocent until proven guilty” and 2) I admire his Livestrong Foundation’s efforts to help in the fight against cancer.  What the fallout of this whole saga to his foundation will be is anyone’s guess, but it is sad.

But there is also some positive news that comes out of this story.  Check out this link Tami sent me. I admire Scott’s decision to take a stand against using Performing Enhancing Drugs.  What stuck out to me in the article was not all the information he gave.  What stuck out to me was what was said in the phone call from his wife.  I have no clue if Scott is a follower of Christ or not, but integrity is not a Christian/non-Christian issue.  It is a character issue.  Integrity is something every one of us needs.  As a businessman/woman.  As a homemaker. As a teacher. As an entrepreneur.  As a pastor.  As a student.  You name it…integrity is essential.  If a person cannot be trusted then why do business with him/her?

How important is integrity to you?  Do you find it as something that is lacking more and more in your profession? 

Speaking of integrity: one of my newer readers is celebrating a special time in her life.  Betty and her husband, Ace, celebrated 48 years of marriage this past Saturday.  You can read her story here. Drop by and leave a comment. Quite a testimony!  Well done Ace and Betty!

 

26 Comments so far ↓

  1. Glynn says:

    I did 30 miles today in gorgeous weather (sunny and low 70s). It’s the longest I’ve ridden in more than ayear. I feel no pride. All I feel is sore.

  2. Daniel says:

    The whole L.A. story is kind of tragic on several different levels. It’s one thing to have no integrity and everyone knows it. It is another entirely to say one thing and do another. That kind of approach sickens me.

    As a scientist, integrity is an important attribute. If I were to tamper with the data to get it to say something false (or through carelessness or laziness not analyze things to completion), I destroy my reputation and anyone associated with me.

  3. I don’t know how you can trust anyone in anything if they do not have integrity. If they fail in one area, how can I trust them in another?

  4. lindaM says:

    Hi Bill,
    The world generally lauds success at any price or any level of deception and deceit. The bottom line is to accomplish what you are asked to do.
    The situation with Lance Armstrong begs the question: is it possible for anyone enjoying good success to do it clean in this world? My thought is probably not. At some point fudging, deception, lying comes into play to achieve worldy success.

    It’s this pressure to be more, produce more, be faster, be better, be greater, that pushes people to the edges of questionable integrity and beyond.

    The devil’s got us all on a spinning wheel, spinning quickly to nowhere but exhaustion, compromise, falsehood, and negative consequences for doing what is right.

    Our job as Christians is to pay the price the world exacts, if needed, to maintain our relationship with God. Any thoughts we have as believers of having the success of the world and also having success with God are false.

    Compromise our integrity and there are conseqences too. Perhaps eternal consequences.

    • cycleguy says:

      Those are some “right on” thoughts Linda. I do think the pressure to produce more, etc is a driving force behind our current win-at-all-costs mentality.

  5. jeff says:

    As a professional CPA I have great respect for the code of ethics and the integrity of the members. Of course there is the occasional member that goes astray. But a member that goes astry is banned for life and every state licensing authority is notified.
    In business as in life, integrity, is probably the most valuable asset a person can have. Your reputation is critical and often times fatal if you are suspected of being a person of questionable integrity.
    I used to be more trusting and less cynical. I think companies and people have become less trustworthy.
    I am glad you pointed out it is not a Christian/non-Christian thing. I am sure we can all name Christian organizations, people, and spokesmen that have been found to be lacking in integrity.
    It is not even a moral vs. immoral thing. Even the mafia requires a certain amount of integrity in it’s members. Honor among thieves I guess.
    As for LA he will reap what he has sown. As for those that put him on a pedestal. Shame on you. I always thought he was cheating as everyone knew nearly all of them were.
    In an election season it seems integrity is nowhere to be found. So I’ll just keep on being cynical and untrusting I guess.

    • cycleguy says:

      Love what you have to say Jeff. You are right in that it is not a moral/immoral thing either. Sadly, the adage “cheaters never win” will come full blown. Your experience in the business world is good input here. Thanks.

  6. floyd says:

    Moral character is founded by God and is for all of civilization. This subject means a great deal to me. I live in a world where lying, stealing, and cheating is a daily occurrence. I wrote a manuscript several years ago titled The Common Threads Of Greatness. It is a look into the lives of greatness based on Biblical morals. It’s what got me started in the whole blogging process.

    What a blessing Betty is!

    • cycleguy says:

      your world of construction is a whole lot more “open” to lying, etc than mine is Floyd (although I deal with people everyday who struggle with it). I would love to see that manuscript. And yes, Betty is a blessing.

  7. Betty Draper says:

    Proverbs 11:1-3 A false balance is an abomination to the Lord. But a just weight is His delight. When pride comes, then comes dishonor. But with the humble is wisdom. The intrgrity of the upright will guide.

    I think we cannot teach this attribute enough and we teach it best by walking in integrity. So many are discouraged because someone they trusted failed in this area. Trust can be rebuild but one must put on humility to start the rebuilding.

    Thanks Bill for the comment on your post. Blessings my brother.

  8. tcavey says:

    Integrity is so important. Sadly many lack it today.
    My father taught me to value integrity, to have it even if it costs me everything.
    Integrity is hard in today’s world but it’s just what this world needs (that and God!).

  9. Jason says:

    I’ve always said integrity is something that once broken can never be truly restored.

  10. Mike says:

    It seems integrity is becoming harder and harder to find in many people. I suppose that would be better stated in people in the public eye. There are many people of integrity who get up each day, go to work, and do their best who we will never know about. Honesty and respect are two characteristics that I value highly in people. By the way, 48 years of marriage by your new readers is awesome, and it requires some integrity to make that long haul.

  11. Ed says:

    A long time friend mentioned that I had lost the sweetness I had when in my youth. That kind of hurt me, lol. I guess because I don’t want to offend anyone by showing my dis-intergrity. I want to draw people in, not alienate them.

  12. Perhaps Lance is still innocent – I don’t know. But it is a reminder how the truth will catch up with you. It may take a while but it’s inevitable.

    • cycleguy says:

      Perhaps he is. Until he speaks or it is proven beyond a shadow of a doubt i will try to remain neutral. 🙂 “Oh what a tangled web we weave” sure comes into play.

  13. Jan says:

    So glad you made it through another Hilly! Well done! As someone who works in a school, YOU BETCHA….integrity is an important character trait! Sadly, way too many children aren’t seeing that in parents or other family members, again, sadly I see some professionals who do not exhibit integrity. The world needs more people with integrity & hearts for God. Congratulations to Betty & Ace! That is spectacular!