Living Life with Integrity

A lie is an insidious thing. They usually start out small. Something so small that it may even be considered inconsequential.However a lie is like a seed, once planted it starts to grow. And this particular seed plants roots that grow deep, and they choke off life with every day they are left unchecked. You can lie to more than just other people too, it is the worst lie, a lie to yourself.

"By a lie, a man... annihilates his dignity as a man." -Immanuel Kant

Do you remember the scenes from old movies and shows where two people would seal a deal with a handshake? Where people said a man was only as good as his word? What happened to those days? These days friends betray friends, promises are taken with a grain of salt, and a business deal would NEVER be done without legal paperwork. The selfish motivations of people in society  cause them to live lives of dishonesty and distrust. How many times have you had arrangements with a friend of yours only to have it broken? How many times have you been the one not keeping your word? 

Your quality of life suffers greatly when you are living a life without integrity. When people can not trust you, you lose their respect. When you lie to yourself, you are disrespecting yourself. If you believe in something and do not live it you are being dishonest. One of the great things about telling the truth is you never have to remember what you said! There is no tangled web of deceit that you need to navigate. Having the complete trust of others and in yourself is empowering. When people know your word is good they trust you more. This can strengthen friendships, relationships, your career life, faith, etc. 

A life of integrity is a life of fulfillment and rewards. It may not be pleasant to always live this way, but I promise you that the temporary uncomfortableness, is less than the pain of a life of lies. It also gets easier and more rewarding with every day you live honestly!

It is never too late to be what we might have been.
 ~George Eliot

Take charge today! It is never to late to make the changes in your life that you want. It is never to late to start anew. Start living with integrity today.

Chip and a Chair

I love playing poker. I play weekly with a group of buddies and we have been doing it for years. It is a relaxing way to spend an evening with good friends and have some fun and maybe, make some cash in the process. One thing that I like about poker is that although it is technically "gambling' it feels like more of a battle of minds than pure luck. You are trying to read your opponent and trying to send him the wrong signals about what you hold.

So one story that always resonated with me was that of Jack Straus and the 1982 World Series of Poker. Jack was playing his heart out but ended up losing all but ONE $25 chip. He famously fought his way back to the top and ended up winning the whole thing, resulting in $520,000 in winnings and an exclusive champions bracelet.

I always liked this story because it showed the value of never giving up. An old Japanese proverb says "Fall down seven times, stand up eight." The trouble is most people don't stand up that eighth time and instead stay knocked down never knowing that their success was right there waiting for them. I have been knocked down so many times in my life. Whether it is emotionally, physically, financially, I have been at the top and the bottom. There were times when I thought I would just stay down. That it was too HARD to get back up. But after every knock down I have always came up stronger, smarter, and more full of fire for life and success.

Do you think that Jack Straus was thinking he could win the entire 1982 World Series of Poker when he was down to literally 1 chip and a chair. That did not stop him from fighting back though. It wasn't too long before he was able to see the possibility of winning the entire tournament and succeed. Apply this lesson to your life. Wherever you are in life, you may not be able to see the big picture or what lies waiting for you around the next corner. You will never discover the greatness that is in you though if you stay knocked down. So if you are laying on your back right now wondering how you got there and if it is worth it to get back up. Think of Jack Straus and realize that it is time to stand up. It is time to go on that amazing journey called life and discover the great potential you hold inside. It is time for you to take your chip and a chair and go WIN.

The Power of Lending Your Hand and Heart

"Never look down on anybody unless you are helping him up." ~Jesse Jackson

When you see someone in need, what is your first reaction? Do you instinctively look down on them because they are less fortunate than you? When you see a homeless person begging do you roll your eyes and get angry that they are asking for help? When your friends come to you with their emotional baggage do you tell them to leave it outside? Or do you help them unpack it and put it away?

The truth is that everyone in this world has been broken at some point in their life. Some, just a little. Others, have been broken completely. The ability to put it all back together is based in large part, to those that are there to help you. People are always making statements about what separates us humans from animals. Whether it be self awareness, our higher thought processes, tool using ability, etc. One thing that MANY animals do instinctively is to demonstrate altruism to other animals. They care for the young, injured, and hungry without thought to themselves. How many human beings can you say this of? Isn't this a trait that should be instinctively human? Something we should not only aspire to, but in fact practice daily in our lives.

The greatest rewards that I have ever received have been from helping others. The saying that "The more you give, the more you receive." has found a new meaning in my life. If you have followed this blog then you are aware that my life has gone through something of a transformation this past year. I have shed my old life like a robe and stepped into a new one full of life, vigor, love, and satisfaction. One of the facets of my new life that I am fully embracing is being there for others. So many people do not have a place to turn anymore. They have no idea how they got where they are and no idea how to get out of it. From experiences with society and others they have come to expect nothing but cynicism and disregard from others. Can you imagine how amazing it would feel to have someone show a genuine interest in your well being?  The emotional reward of helping someone succeed is beyond description. It is pure joy.

Now, you may not be the one needing help. You may need help, but it may not be as desperate of a situation as others. No matter, you are important and a player in this equation. A question I often hear and one I have asked myself is "Why does God let people suffer?". I asked myself this question and never received an answer that I was happy with. This is one reason that for a while I became an atheist. Then the answer came to me when I found God again. He is not making them suffer, we are. We have so much to give and yet many of us are so selfish with our time and materials. If you do not believe that YOU are meant to help those that are less fortunate well then I am sorry to say, YOU ARE WRONG. Every one of us has an obligation AND ability to help those around us. Use your talents, sometimes it is as simple and listening to someone.

I have been blessed in numerous ways and I directly correlate that with living a life that is full of service for others. Imagine the power and difference that one person can make. Now imagine a world full of like minded individuals. Giving of yourself is one of the noblest and most rewarding things that you can do.


"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. " ~Mohandas Ghandi