Integrity and Self-Esteem
Are you living with integrity? Do you want to improve the way you view yourself? It is amazing how often our behaviors differ from our most cherished values and beliefs. We may value honesty, yet lie to a friend or spouse because we are shameful about a particular behavior. We may believe that exercise is important, but sit on the coach hour after hour watching television. We may value our child’s education, but allow our own interests to interfere with our ability to help our children with their homework in the evening.
When our behaviors and our values are incongruent, our self-esteem goes down and we do not feel peace and happiness. How can we be satisfied with our life when our actions and beliefs are not in sync? Do you believe nutrition is important while you are enjoying a burger and fries from a nearby fast food place for the fourth time this week? Do you believe quality time with your family is important, but spend most of your time attached to your phone? Do you feel peace about it?
While working with recovery groups at a substance abuse rehabilitation center, we spent a lot of time discussing this topic. Due to an addiction, many substance abusers have abandoned their values and beliefs, and their behaviors don’t reflect who they really are, only who they are under the influence of the addiction. Once these individuals get into recovery, they are better able to synchronize their actions and beliefs. It is then that their self-esteem improves.
When we live with integrity we feel better about ourselves. We can make mistakes and feel a certain amount of peace knowing that we did our best. Remember that no one is perfect and if we hold ourselves to that standard, we will always feel like we have failed in some way. The important thing is to always do what we believe is right. We are going to fall down and mess up from time to time, we all do. But if our actions go hand in hand with our beliefs, we will be able to get up and bounce back, knowing we did our best.
I think this is such an important area. When actions are in sync with beliefs, I feel it allows for more patience with others, who have good intentions, but are not yet aware of their personal lack of integrity. There’s no transference to stir the emotions.
Well said, Cindi!
Such good truth in this post as usual Kristin, Seems simple doesn’t it? We can be our own worst enemies more often than not…
So true! Have a good day.
Here’s to integrity and actions that are synchronized with values. Nice post, Kristen!
Well thank you, Vicki. 🙂
I was doing good until you mentioned exercise. I guess I better get ack you there. Thanks for the push 🙂
No problem, Tina! 🙂
Thank you for mentioning my post!