Live with Honour and Integrity
Recent events in life have left me reflecting more and more about honour, integrity, sacrifice and service. I went searching through some files and came across material written by Frank Sonnenberg. Below is an excerpt from an article which captures so much of what I have been reflecting on. This serves as a great reminder for me and encourages me to continue to adopt and instill these characteristics aspiring me in personal relationships, in service, and in leadership.
Through my journey, I will continue to seek opportunities to pass along and impart these values to my kids and grandkids.
What legacy do you want to leave?
12 Ways to Live with Honour and Integrity
(an excerpt from Frank Sonnenberg)
People with honour share twelve characteristics. They should be treated as guideposts in your journey through life:
Value integrity. Recognize who you are and the values that you aspire to. Provide others with the confidence of knowing that your intentions and actions are always genuine. Be prepared to compromise your viewpoint, but never your principles.
Be true to yourself. In staying true to your beliefs, be sure to do right by others and to always take the high ground. Trust your instincts rather than seeking validation from others. You have to live with yourself for the rest of your life.
Keep good company. Surround yourself with honourable people. Support each other. Allow them to serve as role models and sounding boards that inspire you to become a better you. And look for ways to help others grow in honour and integrity.
Be confident. Don’t let your behaviour be influenced by others who do not share your values; hold yourself to a much higher standard –– your conscience. Your character is on display every moment of every day. Make sure it reflects well on you and causes people to feel proud to call you a friend.
Do what’s right. Make good choices. Follow the spirit as well as the letter of the law. At the center of the United States Military Academy is the Cadet Honour Code, which states “A Cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do.” Care not only about where life is taking you, but about how you’re getting there as well.
Be honest and transparent. When you stand for honesty, everything you say carries the voice of credibility. But when you’re dishonest, your soiled reputation will do the speaking for you. The fact is, honest people never fear the truth.
Honour your word. Every time you make a promise, you put your honour and integrity on the line. Keeping that promise should be as important to you as it is to the recipient.
Be loyal. Meaningful relationships don’t happen by chance. When you live with honour, people know your behaviour is reliable, your heart is in the right place, and your word is as good as gold.
Accept personal responsibility. Be prepared to accept the consequences of your actions. Knowing what’s right isn’t as important as doing what’s right. Be aware that yours will not always be the most popular road traveled.
Be resilient. Hard work and sacrifice build character, contribute to success, and promote happiness. It was this very reality that moved the former baseball player Sam Ewing to observe, “Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don’t turn up at all.”
Make a difference. Be a positive force in people’s lives. Make people feel special; bring out the best in them; help them without expecting something in return; be genuinely happy for their achievements. The more you do for others, the happier you’ll be.
Live for a cause greater than yourself. Find your life’s purpose. It will inspire you, keep you grounded, and provide stability regardless of the turbulence in your life. Most of all, living life with purpose will motivate you to get up in the morning and make your life meaningful.
Comments