“You are in integrity when the life you are living on the outside matches who you are on the inside.” — Alan Cohen
The quote above addresses integrity, which goes hand-in-hand with character, honor, trust, truth and dignity. As children, contingent upon our orientation and environment we had this imprinting on a daily, moment to moment basis as we observed our parents, family and loved ones. Role models at one time, were indigenous with our inherent fundamental up-bringing and education. Given our diverse backgrounds on a myriad of levels at this point in time, and what appears now to be accepted via our culture/society . . . what is gleaned from our experience? Have we consciously contemplated the environment in which we function, or at least try to? These words from Thomas Cahill may bring a new perspective, “Like fish who do not know they swim in water, we are seldom aware of the atmosphere of the times through which we move, how strange and singular they are.”
It would seem we now exist in an age that reflects a disconnect among individual family members, interpersonal relationships, community, colleagues, associates, professional organizations, and most importantly . . . ourselves. Have we become ” … strange and singular” as suggested by Cahill? We have been abducted by the electronic intervention of devices and their capability in our daily lives, which separates us not only from contemplative consciousness within ourselves, but from our fellow man. Look around your “world,” and objectively assess how involved you have become outside your basic consciousness, with the distraction of any/all electronic devices. Once that is honestly addressed, this quote from Stephen C. Paul’s “Illuminations” becomes quite poignant . . . “Your relationships reflect your fears and limits. How can anyone ever give you what you won’t allow?”
Take it one step further, what will you allow in this life’s journey? What are you contemplating consciously? The responses to these inquiries may not be important to you at all . . . so be it. However, if your responses give you pause and you do reflect for one brief moment, you have illuminated if only for a second who you are and why you are here. That is huge, because in the words of Neville Goddard “You illuminate or darken your life by the ideas to which you consent.”
None of this is easy, and as we continue on our individual path sometimes we become more confused, disconnected, conflicted, bewildered, unsure, fearful, and perplexed as to what direction we take. The things we used to think were concrete, fundamental, supportive, helpful, reassuring, comfortable, calming and hopeful disappear or dissolve. People enter and leave our lives with more regularity, which we find is a process and not necessarily always expected or welcomed. However, what remains is the essence of who we are . . . if we invest the time and energy through honest reflection to really find out. What happens when the individual work isn’t done, is prominently stated by Edmund Burke . . . ” Hypocrisy can afford to be magnificent in its promises; for never intending to go beyond promises; it costs nothing.” JLR