Somedays, I wonder about the prevalence of integrity. There was recent published research conducted on the incidence of narcissism in college students. We do epidemiology studies on depression or violence or baldness. The rates and occurence os all kinds of medical conditions and personality disorders are studied.
I am curious… is there is a slow erosion or degradation of integrity. In the last 25 years, has the general population changed? I think so. I think people are less honest, less honorable and less dependable. Is this the consequence of relativism? Can ethics and morality be relative? I recently discovered someone in my everyday world was being dishonest. This person was not being malicious. There was no personal gain to “lie”. Their dishonesty was born out of simple laziness. A cheat. A ruse. Cutting corners. While it would never have hurt this person directly, their lies could hurts others in a multitude of ways.
What was so disturbing was the indignation from this person that I was being absurd in my demand for honesty. Like….what’s the big deal?
The big deal is that honesty matters. Truth matters. Your WORD matters. Do people no long care if others view their character with suspision? Is it not supremely important to have a good name and for that name to be above repraoch with regards to morality? People may not like how I talk or joke or dress, but I want them to know I am honest and reliable and that my word in genuine.
I am just so shocked and saddened that ordinary people in my ordnary world simply do not see the value of an honest existence. Tell the truth. Don’t fake it. Don’t fabricate. Do cheat. Don’t dilute or embellish. When 3 words will do, why use 10? Just be real.