Okay, as far as I understand it, the meaning of integrity is basically that words and actions match. So, if I say I'm going to get you that info you need, I actually DO get you the info.
I do my best to be a person of integrity. However, I am beginning to think that there are other meanings that can be applied to the word integrity.
Like, sometimes it seems to mean "to subscribe to a philosophy of having integrity, but actually manipulate facts to meet other goals in one's day to day life".
Or sometimes it means "a philosophy that applies to all people except those in powerful positions".
In other situations it can mean "an organisational policy that entails doing as I say, not as I do - and this includes questioning what I am doing, you peon".
Next time I have a bad day at work, we'll look at the concept of trust.
Until tomorrow then.......
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Humility
Lately, I've been listening to some of my favourite CDs from college. The debut CD from Jars of Clay has been top of my list this last week. Lots of excellent music with lyrics that go right to the basics of Christianity - self-sacrifice, learning to love others, and remembering what Jesus gave for us to know God.
That's why I chose not to defend myself when someone in a meeting highlighted a mistake that I had made - even passing around the proof for everyone to see. I don't really believe that I did what it was said that I did, but my hand wrote a note that seemed to indicate that I had acted outside of my authority - not something I have done in the way being discussed. But I couldn't remember what happened and I really had no come back. So I remained silent while everyone discussed the error and how it could be avoided in future.
Now you might have guessed that I'm still smarting from this experience. Well, the main point I'm getting at is that I allowed myself to be blamed even though that is not in my nature. I am the first one to point out the errors of the other players in the "team" because I work so hard not to make mistakes and I don't like to take the blame for other people.
In this situation I actually found myself thinking, "This is a good lesson in humility. No one is directly attacking you. Just tolerate this because there is no proof that you didn't do this and you can't remember what happened."
I found myself wondering if I would have protested and become angry if I hadn't been listening to music that reminded me of how Jesus accepted blame and death when He had done nothing wrong.
It never hurts to focus on the basics again.
Check out Jars of Clay: http://www.jarsofclay.com
That's why I chose not to defend myself when someone in a meeting highlighted a mistake that I had made - even passing around the proof for everyone to see. I don't really believe that I did what it was said that I did, but my hand wrote a note that seemed to indicate that I had acted outside of my authority - not something I have done in the way being discussed. But I couldn't remember what happened and I really had no come back. So I remained silent while everyone discussed the error and how it could be avoided in future.
Now you might have guessed that I'm still smarting from this experience. Well, the main point I'm getting at is that I allowed myself to be blamed even though that is not in my nature. I am the first one to point out the errors of the other players in the "team" because I work so hard not to make mistakes and I don't like to take the blame for other people.
In this situation I actually found myself thinking, "This is a good lesson in humility. No one is directly attacking you. Just tolerate this because there is no proof that you didn't do this and you can't remember what happened."
I found myself wondering if I would have protested and become angry if I hadn't been listening to music that reminded me of how Jesus accepted blame and death when He had done nothing wrong.
It never hurts to focus on the basics again.
Check out Jars of Clay: http://www.jarsofclay.com
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