A Person of Integrity

     Doing the right thing even when it isn't convenient.

     I set out several years ago to paint a horse trailer but not being a body man I was pretty clueless. Lucky for me I had a friend who was a body man and I tried to convince him that he should get involved. As I am no salesman, my efforts at implementing Tom Sawyer's; white-washing the fence tactics were fruitless. And as you probably have guessed, I would be painting the trailer myself. He did however offer pointers and some much needed advice. He filled me in on sanding and priming, epoxy, paint pots, compressors, tarps and technique. I'm sure my eyes glazed over as I tried to comprehend the magnitude of this project. After an hour of sanding I had a spot done approximately twelve inches square and stood back to admire my work. He came over and with an approving nod he turned to head back to his lawn chair in the shade. As he turned he said, "The whole trailer". I stepped back another pace to take in "the whole trailer" and I looked at the small spot that had taken an hour. "I really have to sand the whole thing?" I asked with exasperation. He turned back to me and with a smile on his face he said, "No, you don't really have to do the whole thing". Oh! The relief must have radiated from my face as I heard those words! He walked back toward me and looking the trailer over he said, "You only have to sand where you want the paint to stick"!
     And so it is with integrity. You are either a person of integrity or you aren't. Integrity is a character trait that encompasses your whole life. Everything you do and are.You may act with integrity most of the time but take a closer look. Are you constantly late for work? Is your employer paying you for that time? Are you an employer sticking it to your staff? Are you the person that can't wait to spread a rumor and defame another? We all know a Mrs. Kravitz and the damage they inflict with their words. Do you try to clip tickets at the slope? What about those taxes you have been cheating on. "Oh that doesn't matter, nobodies getting hurt." But someone is, that someone is you. Think of your "character" as a house. Integrity is the foundation of all that you are. Is that foundation weak and shifty? Or is it rock solid? You can build integrity but it takes work and rigorous honesty with yourself. Doing the right thing even when it isn't convenient. Just remember, "The whole trailer"!
That is all, go get dirty!