does honesty still exist? do we even care?

i've been thinking about honesty...and integrity...and how their definitions have gotten watered down and their importance is seemingly lost in our cultural climate...

honesty::refusal to lie, steal or deceive in any way; in english the word originally had more to do with honor

integrity::an unimpaired condition; the quality or state of being complete or undivided

looking at the above definitions, i wonder how many of us could use those words to describe ourselves...our friends...anyone with whom we have any amount of interaction

we lie by commission, we lie by omission...we lie, we claim, to protect others...we lie to protect ourselves...we lie, sometimes, without even knowing why...

what would it mean if we were exactly who we are no matter where we are...if every single person who met us could count on us to be real...to be honest...what would it mean if we worked to become trustworthy...no matter what it cost us...

lies are exhausting...living a double life is exhausting...trying to remember who you told what and to keep up whatever appearances you've created is a juggling act that is destined for a disastrous ending...

the only thing in this life we really have is our good name...and, for the most part, we have control over that...

integrity means that we tell people who we are by our words and our actions and that image we create, matches the reality of the person we truly are...

"never separate the life you live from the words you speak." paul wellstone

it is an amazing gift to have someone's trust...we should do everything in our power to not only deserve it...but to guard it...to treat it as the priceless treasure it is...because trust betrayed or lost, even if rebuilt, will always bear the scars of its injuries...

big impact of small things

been thinking a lot about the power of simple gestures and of gratitude...two words "thank you" can make such a difference...when someone does something nice for you, "thank you"...when someone gives you a compliment, "thank you"...when someone supports you, encourages you, is kind to you, "thank you"...i really feel like there is something altogether lacking in our character if we cannot find it in ourselves to say "thank you" for even the smallest thing...

i find myself noticing more and more the little gestures with such a sense of gratefulness...i am almost overwhelmed by it...maybe i am more sensitive, because i have had so many people in my life who i thought were friends treat me with such complete disregard, that when someone takes the time to care about any part of my life, it is a huge thing for me...

it's been surprising the people who heard of the awful storms in alabama and have checked on me to see if my family were ok...that matters and "thank you"...the people who know i have been going through an incredibly challenging time and just offer simple words of encouragement or just take time to spend time with me...that matters and "thank you"...kimberly, who i have never met in person, who collected 13 pillowcases for my dresses for africa project and is mailing them to me...that matters and "thank you"...to anyone who has offered me any kindness...especially, if in my selfishness, i have not said it before, "thank you"...

how we treat each other matters...i hope that i can find more ways, not just to express gratitude, but to live out those "thank you's" every moment of every day...