Integrity and Honesty

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Honesty and integrity: They go together like the earth and moon. Where you find one, you will find the other. It’s an interesting mix, as both are related and somehow intertwined.

People who are honest, not only themselves but to others, have integrity. They stand strong on their word and in their actions, and will do everything in their power to be honorable. They raise the bar and challenge others—for the good of all.

People with integrity don’t struggle in a world of gray. They have definite boundaries for right and wrong. But don’t misinterpret this defining line: it doesn’t mean they aren’t of compassionate heart—quite to the contrary, they are compassionate, more so than the average person.

Read morePeople with integrity care not only about themselves, but also those around them, and that is what makes them honorable. That is what drives them to be truthful.

Truth is paramount in the world of someone with integrity—it rules supreme. It defines their code of ethics. It is their moral compass.

People with integrity don’t break pledges unless circumstances go beyond their control, and they expect the same from you. Let them down, and they will forgive you, but will not forget.

Put trust in the arms of people who have integrity, and you will get honest efforts—efforts to the bone of their existence. When they say they will do something, they will surmount big obstacles to keep their honor until they are no longer capable and able.

People with integrity don’t take words lightly, or use them without purpose. They say what they mean and mean what they say.

You will never hear a person with integrity berate someone—they just won’t do it. They will discuss the truth, however, within the boundaries of humanity.

People with integrity are self-assured, confident and know who they are. They are often passionate about life. They are honest, to their core. They are honest with others, but foremost, they are honest with themselves.

People with integrity are usually their own harshest critic. They stand out in a crowd.

When I see people with integrity— sincere, true and genuine integrity—I know I am looking at a person who I can trust, implicitly.

Two people who I have been reflecting on lately who place high value on integrity and honesty are Mehmet Oz and Oprah Winfrey.

If, due to some unforseen circumstance beyond my control, I had to place my life in the hands of these two people, I could close my eyes and feel confident that there would be no better hands at which to have to trust.

Who are others I would implicitly trust and who I believe have a high standard of honesty and integrity? Click on the label “People I trust” (below) to see who they are.

“Without integrity, there is no love”
Oprah

Nate Berkus

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Nate Berkus: Do you know him?

He is an interior designer in Chicago whom Oprah Winfrey has embraced and featured on her show time-and-time again.

He is someone I would call a positive person.

He is one of those people whose true emotions are written all over his face and in his body language. It’s so over-abundant, it’s undeniable.

He is a deep, caring and kind soul — and an exceptionally trustworthy individual to all those who know him and know him well. I would venture to say that Nate values family and has a very close relationship with his immediate family. They mean the world to Nate! I could see Nate sharing Sunday dinner with his family (mother, father, brothers/sisters) weekly — when time permits.

I would gather to say he is also a fiercely loyal friend and companion when he knows you are devoted to him, and you are honest and forthright.

Nate prides himself on his honesty, trustworthiness and moral character — and he looks for people in his life who value similar relationships.

Nate knows who he is to the core, and if he could tell us — he’d tell us he likes who he is. He has found himself in life, for the most part. He knows his passions, his limitations, his fears and his dreams.

Nate works hard to overcome the obstacles life has given him and does so with a positive attitude. He stays courageous for those he loves yet he isn’t shy to show his doubts and insecurities when they arise. Nate doesn’t bottle up his emotions. He owns them, feels them and accepts them as part of being human.

I would also bet that Nate treats everyone he meets with the utmost respect, compassion and caring. Nate is a very empathetic person — who realizes just because he has a good life — doesn’t mean that he is more deserving that anyone else — which is rare for those of celebrity form. I would venture to say that Nate is a giving man, donating to those less fortunate then himself.

Nate also hits me as a very open-minded guy — open to new experiences — but he doesn’t hit me as the type of guy who would jump out of a perfectly good airplane for fun. He hits me as the type to take risks, but is not over-the-top risks. Now, if someone Nate loved begged him to jump from an airplane because it was their dream, that is not to say that Nate wouldn’t consider doing it to fulfill the dream of someone he loved. He would… he’d give it serious thought.

Nate is someone I would trust implicitly with my life, hands-down without question — without ever getting to know him.

Nate is a special guy. I would be so honored to meet him and to call him my friend.

P.S. I don’t know if the MySpace page was created by Nate — but I suspect it was. The music chosen on that page is a great reflection of his personality.

Anderson Cooper

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As someone who sees lies, I also see good things, too. I see the truth, sincerity and honesty. I see people who have great integrity. I see others who would give everything off their back to help a friend in need. I see kind souls, untroubled by the burdens of society.

One person who has touched my world lately while watching TV is Andersen Cooper from CNN. He deserves accolades for his integrity. Cooper is a very ethical man who fights to keep integrity in journalism yet also shows us a more human side — which is a rare and unique balance not often seen today in news story reporting.

Cooper isn’t afraid to show his emotions when he reports news for CNN. He is a genuine, caring and kind man. He is a special man — that truly stands above — even outside of his professional career.

I bet if you could get Cooper’s friends to talk about him, they would tell you he has a great sense of humor, is fun to be around, and he will try just about anything once — but they also would tell you that he is a big, compassionate, empathic person — with a huge heart — who cares about the people in his life deeply. Cooper cares about humanity — and doesn’t take other people’s feelings and emotions lightly. He doesn’t put on a TV face to report the news. He is himself, to the core.

If I was in a situation where I had to put my life in Cooper’s hands to survive — I wouldn’t even blink an eye in fear. I’d know hands-down that Cooper would do the very best he could. He is a deeply trustworthy and honorable man.

Steve Irwin Tribute

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Steve Irwin was my one and only hero. He embodied everything I believed in: wildlife, animals, passion, compassion, conservation, family, honesty and integrity. He was an incredible human being…

…the likes of which I have never seen before, and I fear I may never see again in my lifetime. And I am not a person who believes in heros. Even as a child, I was hero-less, never star-struck or whimsical for fictional heros. It wasn’t until Steve came along that I understood what a hero truly was.

Steve rocked my world, revived me — and gave me incredible hope that there are other people out there who do care deeply, who do love passionately (as most people are too afraid to show you)– and can and will fight for what they believe in. Every time I saw Steve Irwin, I got wind underneath my wings.

Sadly, it is few among us who are willing to take our passions to the depths Steve did because to do so is to be brutually honest with yourself, and what you believe in. You have to be able to look into a mirror and accept yourself fully for who you are: the good and the bad — and Steve could do that. He was one balanced individual on top of everything else.

Steve was just incredible. His passions drove him to teach millions of people about wildlife they didn’t care about. His enthusiasm captivated you, embraced you — and took you along on his adventure. His energy and excitement was infectious and contagious. You couldn’t help but become compassionate along with Steve. And I believe the world needs a lot more compassion. It is compassion that is missing in our lives for other human beings and for all the animals with whom we share this planet.

Steve was so honest and real. He exposed his inner most self for the world to see. Steve allowed himself to be vulnerable to others and in his steadfast confidence, proudly, didn’t care what you or I thought — because he knew he was being true to his soul — and to the animals and that is all that ever mattered.

When you are genuine and true to yourself — you will be loved. You will be happy. You will find yourself and your place in this world. I truly believe that and Steve was living testament to it.

I just “got” Steve. I understood him like he was my brother, even if I only have only a tenth of his courage. I would have trusted Steve with my life – hands-down, blindfolded and all. He was and is the most sincere, honest and passionate person I have yet to know. Steve wasn’t afraid to be Steve.

When I hear other people say that “Steve got what he deserved” (death), that he didn’t respect wildlife and abused animals — I feel sad for the people that make these comments because I know they are incapable of understanding and relating to other people at this point in their lives. Furthermore, these people have never truly found their passion in life nor do they have any understanding or sense of self. These people who make these remarks are lost souls struggling to find themselves and are lashing out in pure ignorance. These comments are a tragedy in the face of Steve’s tragedy.

I will mourn the loss of Steve Irwin for as long as I live. He is still my hero today and always will be. Thank you, Steve, for gracing us with your gifts, your talents, your intelligence, your compassion, your passion, and your love. Thank you for not being afraid to be yourself, and for living your life true to your soul!! You have changed the world, mate! You’ve changed me — hands down by confirming everything I believe in — and by letting me know that you can succeed in your passions if you believe, deep down inside and let them guide you.

BE COMPASSIONATE.
BE PASSIONATE.
BELIEVE.
Don’ be shy to LOVE.
BE TRUE to YOURSELF. Always.

Thank you, truly, Steve. Thank you.