Do you have integrity in regards to how you treat others? What is integrity really? Join author Nitika Chopra as she shares ” Are You Willing to be Uncomfortable for Integrity?”
Written by: Nitika Chopra
Do You Declare Yourself as a Person who has Integrity?
The word integrity was one I had never heard before I entered the self-help world but pretty quickly in to my introspective journey the word integrity became a part of every conversation I was having. But what is integrity really? And further more, what does it take to be able to declare yourself as a person who has integrity?
Wikipedia says: Integrity is a concept of consistency of actions, values, methods, measures, principles, expectations, and outcomes. In ethics, integrity is regarded as the honesty and truthfulness or accuracy of one’s actions.
Ask yourself:
- Do you have integrity in the area of self-love?
- Do you have integrity in regards to how you treat others?
- Are you in integrity with your divine purpose?
- Do you have integrity when it comes to your finances?
The power of integrity, I believe, can hold many truths about who we are. By Stepping into your truth and honesty fully and learning to live from that place consistently, you are on the path to living a life with integrity. Always observing to see if your actions, words and thoughts align with who you are no matter what another person is saying or doing.
This brings me to a book by Don Miguel Ruiz entitled ‘The Four Agreements’ in which the first agreement he says, “Be impeccable with your word: Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the Word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your Word in the direction of truth and love”. He capitalizes Word to say that this is your highest truth, this is your power, your faith. To express yourself impeccably and with integrity means expressing yourself in the direction of truth and love. And absolutely, this is not as simple as it sounds.
Aligning with and speaking your truth all the time requires moment to moment awareness. It is speaking up and speaking out for yourself even when it feels safer to hold back. Do you tell a friend that their partner is cheating on them? Do you never lie for the sake of sparing someone’s feelings? Because you are speaking your truth. So, do you proceed boldly or with caution when you’re speaking with integrity? This takes practice. Discovering what your truths are and allowing them to breathe through you can be scary and uncomfortable. It can mean having the conversations that you don’t want to have. It can mean being an entirely new you than everyone knows you to be. Speaking with integrity, in all your amazingness, is taking off your mask and this is life changing.
I invite you to look throughout your life and see if you are living a life aligned with truth, integrity and honesty in every single aspect. This might seem simple if you don’t lie, cheat or even sleep with someone who is off limits you probably assume you lead a completely honest life. Well I need you to dig deeper my friend.
Are you cutting yourself short when you know that you deserve more? Are you taking someone you love for granted (accidentally even) because you know they love you and you say “they’re fine with it” even though deep down you know they aren’t? Do you eat things you know are harmful for you, or spend money in a way that you know doesn’t serve your highest good?
This list is not meant to stress you out or even get you down, it is to allow you to get truly inspired by how much more intentional and authentic your life could be! I had to look at these questions in my own life this past week and boy did I feel uncomfortable. When it is all said and done though, I am willing to be uncomfortable in the short term to have a life filled with integrity in the long term. Are you?
Identity Magazine is all about empowering women to get all A’s in the game of life — Accept. Appreciate. Achieve.TM Every contributor and expert answer the Identity 5 questions in keeping with our theme. As a team, we hope to inspire and motivate ourselves and inspire you to get all A’s.
What have you accepted in your life that took time, physically or mentally?
I have accepted that I have a curvy body! I am not a toothpick and I never will be, all I need to do is take care of my body and it will continue to take care of me.
What do you appreciate about yourself and within your life?
I appreciate that I take the time to get to the root of what is really going on in every situation. I don’t just assume or jump to conclusions, I take my time and do the work to authentically figure out the truth in situations.
What is one of your most rewarding achievements in life? What goals do you still have?
One of my most rewarding achievements is starting Bella Life and turning this experience in to getting my own talk show. I still have goals to grow my site to an even bigger one and to fully monetize the site.
What is your not-so-perfect way? What imperfections and quirks create your Identity?
My not-so-perfect way is that I am really sensitive. I always say it is a blessing and some times a “curse”. Because I am sensitive it makes me much more compassionate and kinder to others, but it also has me take things so much more personally which can get tricky!
How would you complete the phrase “I Love My…?”
I love my FRIENDS. I feel so incredibly blessed to have close friends that I can lean on for any and everything.
