Integrity...the Lost Art?

Integrity has been defined as "doing the right thing even when no one is watching." I call integrity an "art" because art is supposed to be the expression of our inner feelings. If these two things are true, I think our nation is in serious trouble! We certainly have lost this "art". Could we also be losing our "heart" as a nation?

People disregard the speed limits and then cause a ruckus because there are speed cameras on the highway. We have hired (and paid good money to) professionals to analyze the safest speeds for these streets. While, we may not always agree with the assessment, the law has been declared. Who am I, who has not taken a single class in such topics, to decide I know better than the professionals? And, if I choose to ignore them, why should I not have to face the consequences of the deed?

Surveilance cameras are part of our society. They have your picture captured the moment you walk into Walmart or Walgreens, or most any store these days...and of course, the banks. You can't even drive through without being filmed. Why? Because we have lost the heart of community. Integrity. People change labels to get a cheaper price. They shoplift because they think they can get away with it, or they "need" it or are somehow "entitled" to "it".

Integrity is not just about keeping the "law". Not long ago I gave a clerk at Starbuck's a ten dollor bill. I was in a rush, so I stuffed the change in my purse and went to my appointment. After the appointment, I discovered that she had given me change for a twenty instead of a ten. While I know good people, even Christians, who feel that is just a "blessing", I felt I should return it and expose the error.
I was surprised at the reaction of the manager. At first, he thought I was saying the opposite...that I gave them a twenty and received change for a ten. They wanted to argue that one. It took me a while to convince them I was RETURNING money. He finally checked the till. Yes, ten dollors short! He offered me a free drink, which I declined since I was plenty full. He seemed in shock that I did not just take the money and have great day. But, the clerk would have had to replace it with her own...and possibly loose sleep trying to figure out what she did wrong. AND I would NOT have had a great day. I needed to do the right thing.

It bothered me a bit that the manager was so shocked. I remember as a little girl, that people made special trips to correct change making errors in their favor. Oh, maybe not always for a nickel or penny, but certainly for anything bigger than a quarter! And my dad sent me back in for a penny! People used to be shocked at the thought that someone would NOT return extra money. After all, we are community! Neighbors, Friends!

People seem to think that they can make their own rules. They can drive as fast as they want to. They can ignore tickets because the police can't "prove" anything. They can keep the change and run...never thinking about the person who has to pay for the error. "But it was their error...right?"

They can break the law...steal something..."the store has insurance anyway". They feel empowered to have gotten away with it. It is a joke, not a crime!

Most people I know believe in some form of "karma". I prefer to say "you reap what you sow". Is it any wonder that our economy is in the pits? How can this nation dare to complain about what we don't have and can't have...? We have taken so much. And of all the things missing, Integrity should be one of the most mourned.