A person of integrity lurks somewhere inside each of us: A person we feel we can trust to do right, to play by the rules, to keep commitments.
-Stephen Carter
Earlier this year, I shared an article about the Greek word akrasia that means to know but not do.
We all know we need rest, movement, hydration, nutrition, daylight, fresh air, meaningful connections, and mental challenges.
These are just the basics!
It’s just that doing all of them, day in and day out, is really challenging.
As the year comes to a close, this is a natural time for reflection and goal setting.
This week, I invite us all to look at this time of year through a new lens and learn from Yale Law Professor, Stephen Carter, and his Three Steps for Integrity. Let’s all choose to be more wholly and happily ourselves in 2024 by following his three simple steps as we blaze our individual paths toward wellness.
Step One: Be a Discerning Person
In any decision, and especially now in setting goals for our future well-being, Carter says we must struggle with what is the right thing to do.
We’ve discussed this many times as the foundation of Project 100: that we are swimming against a cultural rip tide that profits off of unhealthy behaviors.
So let’s ask ourselves: Where are we being consistent with our beliefs and where are we being inconsistent that we’d like to tighten up?
Carter suggests integrity begins when we reflect on what we think rather than what social norms dictate.
Step Two: Act on What You Have Discerned
It’s one thing to know, it’s an entirely different order of magnitude to then act on what we know to be true for us.
Carter underscores that this step may have a personal cost. But even if it costs us to act, integrity requires that we do so.
Step Three: Express Your Understanding
To truly live in integrity, Carter’s third step requires that we say openly that we are acting on our understanding of right from wrong.
Instead of framing choices as “healthy” or “unhealthy,” let’s delve deeper. What does a particular choice bring to our lives that makes it right for us? How does it align with our emotional well-being, our ability to be present, vibrant, and robust for the people we care about?
By expressing our understanding, we not only reinforce our commitment to personal integrity but also invite others to join us on this journey. Let's make 2024 a year where our actions are a true reflection of our beliefs, leading us toward a more fulfilling life and setting an authentic example for others.