How do you maintain integrity when the world is pushing you to bend the rules for a dollar? Every case is different but in the end you have to be true to yourself and your conscience. Why is that so when you can just tell a white lie, make a big gain and then go back to living the life of integrity?
Integrity is birthed out of character and character is demonstrated by the decisions you make when no one is watching. Character can take a lifetime to build and a moment to be destroyed. There is a proverb that says a good name is to be desired over great wealth (paraphrased).
Here was my situation. Many of you know that I had to file bankruptcy due to a business failure, if you do not know my story you can click here to hear about it. Anyways, I met a guy who had the power to erase my bankruptcy off of my credit score and make it as though it never happened. The only thing I had to do was to tell 3 lies. And let me tell you it was and at times still is tempting. Especially, when I have to pay higher interest rates and put down deposits for everything. But, the person I am would not allow me to tell those lies.
If I told those lies I would have my credit restored but my character would have been tarnished. In the end I made the decision to keep my credit score tarnished and my conscience clear. And I will say that my decision did not directly open up doors of opportunity but who I am today has. And who I am today is partly the result of that decision.
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