Attraction Information

Why Character and Integrity Are So Important


It's been said that character is defined by what you do when you think no one is watching. What an illuminating concept that is.

Most of us have a public face and a private face. There are parts of ourselves we don't want the world to see. Typically, we tend to hide the aspects that would not be viewed favorably by society. Greed, lust, jealousy, pettiness, fear and so on. We also tend to hide our weaknesses. No one needs to know that we can wolf down a gallon of ice cream in an hour, do they? ;-)

I think most people are "good" at their core; decent, loving, compassionate and kind. However, even those we perceive to be good people are capable of unspeakable acts. How many times have you heard a convicted murderer's family member or friend say, "I just can't believe he would be capable of something like that. It's so unlike him." The killer projected one identity to the world, while secretly he was someone else entirely.

Okay, most of us are not murderers. Yet, even those of us who would be considered "good people" often think nothing of stealing, cheating on our spouses, or worse. What does that say about our character? Is it wrong only if we get caught?

How many times have you done something that you probably wouldn't have done if others had been there to see it? Would you feel embarrassed if these things were brought to public awareness? Did you act on your impulses only because you felt sure no one would ever find out?

I've been thinking a lot about the concept of "sin" lately. What is sin exactly? In the Christian religion, sin refers to that which displeases (or dishonors) God. The Ten Commandments warn us against adultery, theft, murder and more. Supposedly if you follow that list, you will remain in God's good graces.

In some earth religions, there is only one commandment: Harm None; which basically covers all angles in two words. Do nothing that would cause harm to yourself or another. Seems simple enough.

Yet, in both of these examples there are gray areas, aren't there? Sometimes it's hard to tell what's right or wrong. If we find money on the street and pick it up, is that stealing? Does it make a difference if it was $5.00 or $500.00? If we lie to protect someone's feelings, is that wrong? If we take some paper clips home from the office, is that stealing? Does it "harm" the company, really? If we flirt with someone other than our spouse, or fantasize about them, is that cheating? Or is cheating only the physical act of sexual intercourse?

In situations like these, how do we know the right course of action? How do we balance integrity with our impulses and desires? I think it can help to examine your motives and the possible consequences. What is your intent in this situation? What do you hope to gain from it? Could your actions harm another, or yourself? If your actions became public knowledge, would you be okay with that?

Maybe some of you are rolling your eyes at me right now, thinking, "What's the big deal? So what if I take a few things from work, or cheat on my wife? What they don't know won't hurt them." That may be true, but doesn't it hurt you in the long run? Don't those actions detract from the kind of person you are? Don't they dim your inner light? If it's true that we are all connected, then isn't it also true that harming another means harming ourselves? By disrespecting others, we disrespect ourselves and God.

Personally, I don't believe that God is angry and judgmental, sitting up in the clouds waiting to cast us into the pits of Hell for our transgressions. I do believe there will be a final "review" of our lives, and we will have to answer for the things we've done. But I think we will be our own judges. In the deepest part of ourselves, we know right from wrong.

We're not perfect, and no one is expecting us to be. We all make mistakes and do things we are later ashamed of. We are human, after all. But there is a big difference between making a mistake, and purposely doing something we know is wrong. We may try to fool ourselves at times and justify our actions. Maybe your husband doesn't pay attention to you, so you try to convince yourself that it's okay to have an affair with a man who does. Or your employer gives you a crappy raise, so you decide to make up for it in other ways, like stealing supplies or fudging your time sheet. They asked for it, right? You certainly have the right to do these things, and probably no one will stop you. Our greatest gift in life is Free Will. Unfortunately, it is also often our greatest curse. There are always consequences to our actions, whether they come now or later.

In the end, it's all a matter of personal accountability. Do we want to be a person of character, or not? It doesn't matter if we get caught or not. What matters is that we are defined by our actions. If I take something that doesn't belong to me, I am a thief. If I cheat on my spouse, I am an adultress. If I don't want to get caught, I probably shouldn't do these things in the first place. The truth has a way of making itself known.

Wendy Betterini is an inspirational writer who strives to motivate, uplift, and inspire you to make your dreams a reality. Visit her website, http://www.WingsForTheHeart.com for more positive thoughts to help you on your journey.


MORE RESOURCES:

Disney World opens pricey racecar attraction
guardian.co.uk, UK - 20 hours ago
The latest tourist attraction at Walt Disney World in Florida weighs about 1500 pounds and to ride it, you have to sign nine pages of legal waivers and ...


Rules of attraction
Melbourne Herald Sun, Australia - 1 hour ago
Then, four months into their marriage, Robyn felt she had lost her sexual attraction for Chris. She loved him, but wouldn’t mind if they never had sex again ...


Examiner.com

In Birds' circus, McNabb is the main attraction
Examiner.com - Nov 20, 2008
by Gordie Jones, Philadelphia Eagles Examiner Donovan McNabb looked over at a writer friend and me as we sat on a couch outside the auditorium in the ...


Washington Post

What Powered a 'Magnetic' Attraction
Washington Post, United States - 18 hours ago
Working under the moniker "Semiconductor," British-based artists Ruth Jarman and Joseph Gerhardt have been experimenting in film and performance since the ...


Ottawa Citizen

Strange attraction: Kristin Stewart gets drawn into ‘Twilight’ zone
Boston Herald, United States - Nov 16, 2008
Bella first sees Edward in the cafeteria of their Pacific Northwest high school, and the mutual attraction is immediate. “Once you know something you can’t ...
'Twilight': Fantasy rules in the Stephenie Meyer vampire tale PopMatters
Twilight (Katey's Take) Cinema Blend
'Twilight' continues tradition of vampire as love interest St. Louis Post-Dispatch
New York Daily News - Fresno Bee (registration)
all 732 news articles


Integrated Reward and Talent Management Yields Better Attraction ...
MarketWatch - Nov 20, 2008
WASHINGTON, Nov 20, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- While the economic slowdown may be making it easier for employers to attract and retain ...
Integrated Reward and Talent Management Yields Better Attraction ... Earthtimes (press release)
all 8 news articles


Bristol Herald Courier

Upside-Down Attraction Is A ‘Wonder’
Bristol Herald Courier, TN - Nov 19, 2008
The exterior of Wonderworks in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. looks like the building landed upside down. By Joe Tennis PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. ...
Titanic To Anchor In Pigeon Forge The Chattanoogan
all 2 news articles


Feline fatal attraction that has to be broken if Scotland's ...
Times Online, UK - 19 hours ago
Yet the final, killer blow may be struck by the attractions of its feline cousin. Interbreeding between wildcats and feral domestic cats has left this ...


Popular holiday attraction is taking shape
Port Huron Times Herald, MI - Nov 20, 2008
BY STEPHEN TAIT Light displays in the shapes of ships, ice skaters and Christmas trees have popped up along the St. Clair River in Port Huron in the past ...


Voice of America

Meet, James Bond. Madame Tussaud's Newest Wax Figure
City Guide Magazine, NY - 17 hours ago
Each attraction will have its own Daniel Craig figure. The figures were launched to celebrate the arrival of the eagerly anticipated 22nd Bond film, ...
At the Movies with Kevin: Quantum of Solace unimpressive SHSU Houstonian Online (registration)
all 253 news articles

Attraction - Google News

home | site map
© 2008