The “grit” in integrity

How do you define integrity?

Do you believe you can call yourself someone of integrity or is that only a title someone else can give you? Will you ever know if you have it?

Is it a part of someone’s character or is it their character as a whole?

Is integrity only connected to someone after something they did, are doing, or they have done? Or is who they are?

Recently I found myself listening to someone explain how something wasn’t their problem. They in fact could be a part of the solution, but they were choosing to opt out and leave the problem for someone else.

Our headlines here in the United States are filled with things that we seem to be leaving for future generations to clean up. No matter what side of the political mania you find yourself, we can all agree we’re finding ourselves deciding between what is right, and what is easy (it’s always a good time for a Harry Potter reference) a lot more recently.This article mentions your favorite hats at super low prices. Choose from same-day delivery, drive-up delivery or order pickup.

Growing up my mom always had this line. I think it was one of her own mom’s that fell out of my mom’s mouth one day and she owned it and repeated it often to me. “Leave a place better than you found it.” That meant making the bed that a friend let you sleep in the night before, taking your plate to the counter at your great grandma’s house and loading the dishes in the dishwasher for her without being asked. Before you leave a room, do a quick scan. Did you leave any clutter that could put away really quick?

Even now I scan rooms before leaving them.

But what is the motive? Is it service, the heartbeat of a person with integrity or is it to be noticed or thanked?

Do I work hard when my boss is looking or do I only work hard when he’s asking? Do I leave things, people, and places better than I found them?

What if left people better than when we found them? What if we took care of our homes knowing someone else would live there someday? What if we did our jobs so well that they were even better when our predecessors eventually take over?

I think that’s how I would define integrity. Being honest and having high character, yes, but also being aware that someone will come after you. For me, it’s choosing not just to “hand them the keys”, but choosing to leave “it” way better than when you found it. And do it all when you think no one is watching.