Give A Little Whistle

On Friday, my integrity was questioned. It was challenged in such a way that as soon as the sentence was out of the person's mouth, I saw red. We have all experienced this. All of a sudden, everything is in slow motion, your body instantly gets flushed and you feel your heart get hot. It happened and I did not react in such a way that put my personality or my professionalism in the best light.

But dammit! That was my integrity and to me, that means you challenged my heart. We design our reality by our choices, moment to moment, creating and maintaining a standard by following our conscience and acting for the highest good.

When I was growing up, Jiminy Cricket from Pinocchio was my first introduction to having a conscience or integrity. "Always let your conscience be your guide", seemed like the best road map to follow.

I remember, as I got older having discussions with both my parents about listening to the little voice in your heart that will always tell you the right thing to do. For some reason, the idea of having someone in your heart who knew the right thing to do seemed so comforting.

So why is it, that we continue to sometimes stray from that path that our conscience is guiding us on? Why do we have a tendency to do anything, say anything and act in such a way that muffles the voice in our heart?

I'm not talking about the BIG things. Things that we know are BAD. I consider myself a "good" person. I am faithful and have never cheated on a partner (sometimes I use a cute smile to get a membership here and there), I am loyal to a fault (but it takes a lot to get to that point with me), I try not to lie (maybe white ones or lies of omission), I don't break laws (except speeding) and I currently do not have a criminal record (Except for a MIP that involved Zima, Lake Shasta and a Pink Bikini)

That last paragraph explains the problem... It is the parenthesis ( ) in life. On Friday when my integrity was challenged, that person was WRONG, but I realized that it might be the if, ands and buts throughout life that I might need to work on.

It is the little things
Like, calling someone when you say you are going to call. Showing up on time for my personal training session because Brad's time is valuable (even if it is 630 in the morning). Taking the time to look up in the hallways at work and say "hello" to everyone I make eye contact with. Tell the truth, even about the little things that have become second nature to omit or fib a little. If you work on the little things then the BIG things should never be challenged.

To me, my integrity is my heart.
How comforting it is to think that your heart itself tells you what to do.
And when all else fails...

Listen to Jimeny Cricket:
When you get in trouble
and you don't know right from wrong
give a little whistle, give a little whistle

When you meet temptation
and the urge is very strong
give a little whistle, give a little whistle

Not just a little squeak, pucker up and blow
and if you're whistle is weak, yell

Take the strait and narrow path
and if you start to slide
give a little whistle, give a little whistle
and always let your conscience be your guide