Personal Integrity: Staying True to Yourself

The Oxford English Dictionary's Definition of Integrity is:

The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.

The state of being whole, entire, or undiminished.

There was a time I followed others’ advice without question — believing they knew better than I did. I pushed forward, ignored my gut, and ended up out of integrity with myself. Looking back, I see that the discomfort I felt wasn’t resistance; it was wisdom. If I had paused to reflect, to consult my own inner compass, I would have made choices more aligned with who I truly am.

That doesn’t mean we should never seek guidance. There’s great value in learning from those with experience or wisdom we respect. But why not turn inward first? We each have access to that quiet, still voice within — a connection to something greater, call it Source, Spirit, or the I AM. The more we practice listening, the clearer it becomes.

Your path is unique. Living with integrity means learning to trust yourself — to feel into what’s true for you. Self-awareness and self-trust aren’t just helpful; they’re foundational. Integrity isn’t just a virtue; it’s a practice. And like any practice, it grows with attention.

You might start with limited insight — that’s okay. Seek mentors who empower you to go deeper, who ask questions that awaken your own knowing. Pray, meditate, or simply listen. Let guidance come from within and through others — but always check it against your inner truth.

If something doesn’t feel right, honor that. Pause. Breathe. Reassess. When your choices come from a place of love — for yourself and others — integrity follows. You’ll feel it in your gut.

While integrity is a quality of character, it can be cultivated. Here are some attributes that reflect a life lived with integrity…

•  Gratitude. Express gratitude and recognize the achievements of those you work or live with. Be sure to say “thank you” when someone does you a favor, helps you, or takes time out of their schedule for you.
•  Respectful. People with integrity value other people and show them respect. Do your best to be on time for others, whether at work or with friends and family, and consider people’s feelings. You can demonstrate this trait by being punctual, paying attention to your words, and carefully considering others’ ideas.
•  Honesty. Integrity requires honesty. Strive to be truthful. Own up to mistakes and try to learn from them. Everybody makes them, and owning up to them keeps you humble, and true humility is a virtue.
•  Trustworthy. Follow through on your commitments, demonstrate trustworthiness, and avoid over-promising. If you’re unable to complete a task or meet a deadline, be sure to let others know as quickly as possible. If you are trusted with personal information, respect it.
•  Hardworking. Those with integrity strive to produce their work on time, regardless of the task. They recognize that everything they do can impact those around them, their loved ones, their colleagues, and their business outcomes.
•  Responsible. Be accountable for your actions. Make sure you deliver on your responsibilities.
•  Helpful. When someone has integrity, they help those in need. This may be by lending your time for a project without being asked or offering to cover for someone in an emergency.
•  Patient. A person with integrity can tolerate challenges, delays, and unexpected obstacles while maintaining a calm, even demeanor. They wait their turn to speak in meetings and one-on-one conversations.

The Uncomfortable Gift of Self-Awareness

When I set the intention to live with greater integrity, something surprising happened: my past began to surface.

Not in a punitive way — but as an invitation. Moments when I’d ignored my gut, betrayed my values, or stayed silent when I should have spoken… they all surfaced. The ones I’d buried because I felt too guilty, too ashamed, or simply too overwhelmed to face. I hadn’t been ready before. But now, they were knocking at the door of my awareness.

Self-awareness can be uncomfortable — even painful. But it’s also liberating. Because only when we see our missteps can we make peace with them. Forgive ourselves. Forgive others. Ask for forgiveness. This isn’t about shame; it’s about cleanup. And yes — it’s a blessing, even when it doesn’t feel like one.

I’ve come to see this inner work like going to the gym for the soul. If we don’t move our bodies, they stiffen. If we don’t stretch our minds and hearts, they do too. Emotional, mental, and spiritual growth keep us flexible, open, and alive.

And here’s the truth: if we stop growing, we start blocking our own light. We hold back our brilliance. We sabotage our relationships. We feel out of sync with our dreams — not because they’re unreachable, but because we feel unworthy of them.

Living with integrity isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being real. It’s about choosing, again and again, to come back into alignment — with yourself, with your values, with your truth.

And when you do? That’s when peace begins. That’s when you start manifesting not just what you want — but who you’re meant to be.

If you are looking to grow past being stuck in areas of your life and want to get free and live more of your purpose. I encourage you to reach out to me. Click on the link below if you would like to have a 20-minute complimentary consult with me: https://calendly.com/gailmae/consult

Love,