In a conversation recently, I was asked what I thought “strength of character” meant. Although I answered the question, I continued to think about it for several days.
When I think of strength in that context, my image is of someone who does not shy away from doing what is right even if it is difficult. They don’t take the easy way out or look for a quick fix. Someone with integrity. Integrity encompasses the qualities of being honest and having strong moral principles that are incorruptible.
In today’s world, integrity is much less common than it used to be. Corruption is everywhere. It seems that almost everyone has a price for which they will betray others. It has become the norm in business and politics to make promises that you do not intend to keep. And doing the “right thing” is rarely more important than self interest.
How did we get here? When did we stop caring about the power of our word?
In the past, people’s word was their bond, you could trust it. You could count on it. It defined who you were: “He’s a man of his word”. This was considered to be the highest compliment!
Today, unfortunately, talk is cheap. Words are used only for effect with nothing behind them. Does it have to be this way? Is there a road back? A road that leads to honesty and trust?
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