Be Aware of Unforseen Events

Pathways on a journey can become inundated by unforeseen events.  This is when integrity becomes important.  Why integrity?  First, integrity comes from the word integral which refers to the core element that keeps something together.  So if a person has integrity, that means they operate from a core value system that keeps them on a continuous path.  The problem is that in today’s economic, political and cultural climate integrity is often sacrificed for quick rewards.  We call this out as going where the wind blows.  Having integrity means knowing what is important to you in your actions, relationships, and in your belief systems.  This creates the solid ground upon which you continue your journey, despite what happens around you.

OUR VISION CAN GET MUDDIED

In the picture, the pathway has been muddied.  How much of what we hear in the news on the internet or see in our communities reflects a set of values and actions that are feel foreign or even undermine our trust in ourselves?  This can be very frustrating.  When these new values wash over the culture, they impact our schools, workplaces, and our conversations with neighbors and family.  The question becomes, do I hold onto my values and go with the flow?  Or do I take a stand for what has kept me on a solid path so far? What are the practical choices?

You could stand back from this muddy mess and consider an alternative direction in your path.  How can you can you get around the mess. Or how could you build a bypass over the mud; or divert the water from this section and drain it off.  When do you know what strategy to try? 

PROBLEMS CREATE OPPORTUNITIES

This is the point in your journey where you might need to recognize that Problems Create Opportunities.  This is your opportunity to evaluate what each of the concerns you are confronting, and make a determination about which one may need to be a launching point. 

One day, I was having lunch with my friend, an HR Director for a very large company.  We were eating in the very large and subsidized cafeteria. (Subsidized means that the company paid something for the lunches, so our costs were very minimal).  A hamburger and fries or a big salad was 1/3 the cost it would be at the nearby restaurants. 

The entire campus of this company was designed to keep employees on site.  My friend was very unhappy.  She had stumbled into the swamp of office politics and envious people.  After listening to her description of the mud and weeds, rocks and stumps that prevented her from enjoying her work, I said simply:  “Well, why don’t you just quit!” She opened her mouth in great surprise and said “Oh No! I am not ready to do that!”   I replied that it sounded like this muddy place was really getting under her skin and she would not be very happy unless she took some action on her part (i.e. seize control of the situation).   This would enable her to act with integrity and maintain the integrity of her life long journey. 

Over the next few months she focused on her work, ignored the gossip and began to improve herself. She finished not only her bachelor’s degree, but her master’s degree as well. She was building a ramp over the muddy swamp so she could launch herself into new adventures on her path, which she did.  She went on to found a women’s spiritual group that bought companionship, inspiration, and stories of women who overcame incredible hardships in their lives.  And that was just one of the things that her journey included after she decided to get out of the mud! 

FIND A SOLID FOOTHOLD

 To wade through this environment, you will need to go slowly, planting your foot on the solid area under the water and even sliding your feet through the water to get to the other side of the swampy mess. Or, like my friend, it may be important to build yourself so that you are better equipped to get out of the mud!  The pathway, like yourself, must have integrity and where it is weak, you must build it up and use your strength of character to get past this section of the journey.