INTEGRITY

The quality of integrity is one of the virtues that is extolled throughout mythology both ancient and modern. Somehow, though, it is the people who fail most at this virtue that we remember most: the liars, the cheaters, the despots, the quislings and the hypocrites tend to stick in the memory of the people far longer and with greater intensity of emotion than those who are upright, true, loyal and just. Perhaps this is indicative of the importance of integrity: those who lack it bring harm not only to themselves, but to everyone around them.

Integrity as defined by the Dedicant Program involves ways of interacting with others and with oneself that result in an enriching of both personal and interpersonal strength. It increases our personal growth and strength when we remain true to our deep feelings, when we heed the prodding of our conscience or bolster our self-confidence. It also increases our personal inner strength when we courageously examine these deep feelings and our conscience, especially if we find ourselves growing judgmental of ourselves and others, to examine the sources of these feelings and determine whether they are productive and constructive limits on behavior or whether they are restricting and destructive bonds that would be better excised from our habitual thoughts. This sort of self-awareness is especially important for those of us who were raised in moral/ethical systems that stressed ways of being that we as Pagans do not embrace; the ingrained and enculturated thought patterns of our childhood can wield great power even many years after we thought we had left them behind!

Only by being people who are loyal, truthful, fair and trustworthy, will we be able to form meaningful and respectful relationships with our fellow humans and the other Kindreds that make up our world. Everyone may remember the betrayers, the backstabbers and the niðingar, but no one wants to have anything to do with them either.

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