Integrity

It’s a word that we often hear, and just as often can quickly dismiss. It’s a word that, especially in today’s world, has lost its meaning. We can be quick to engage in moral relativism if it suits our needs. It is easy to discard what is right in favor of what we need. Better yet, what we think we need.

Why am I writing this today? It’s for many reasons, but one of them is that today is my last day here at WA. And before I sign off, I want to share something that will hopefully impact your life for the better. I’ve been at WA for nearly 4 months, and am not leaving for economic reasons, to be clear.

God has blessed me mightily with a beautiful bride and daughters, with friends (including many here at WA) that are of immeasurable value and beyond any description that can be conveyed in print. For all of these, I am humbled and grateful, and I am also inspired.

I started designing websites more than 10 years ago when I owned my insurance business. I learned how to gain traffic and grow sales online, and I sold that business nearly four years ago. So I guess you could say I know a thing or two about marketing and establishing an online presence.

For me, the skills and experience I acquired previously significantly surpass that which I can gain through membership here. Don’t get me wrong – WA is a great place to get started and cut your teeth, so to speak. If you are new, I encourage you to go through the training, find other resources (of which there are plenty) to learn more, and then work your butt off!

One thing I love here is the community. But I offer this challenge and admonishment to those who have attained the “status” of Ambassador. Each of you need to make sure that you are offering accurate advice. Because I have witnessed on many occasions the dissemination of information in the name of training that is blatantly inaccurate and can throw new members for a loop.

We all make mistakes, and none of us are perfect. But if we speak from a position of authority and knowledge, we better dang well know what we’re talking about. If you’re sharing something from a desire to puff yourself up or relish in your status, it’s the wrong motivation. You will hurt others and discredit yourselves. On that note, there are a number of trainings out there presently advocating the use of plugins that have been abandoned and/or are harmful. Please revisit those trainings and update them accordingly.

So back to integrity. What does it mean to you? How do you display it in your personal and professional life? What do others in your sphere of influence think about you? How about your wife and/or kids? It’s important that we all look in our mirrors and adjust our lives, at least periodically, and sometimes daily.

Invest in the lives of the people around you.
Never take shortcuts in the name of success.
Treat others like you would like to be treated.
Evaluate your motives before taking action.
Greed corrupts your spirit and your relationships.
Respect everyone, even when you disagree.
Inspect your heart for strengths and weaknesses.
Take responsibility and ownership for your actions.
Yield to God’s will and plan for your life. Always.

There’s my acrostic definition of integrity. Where are you in it today? I’ve experienced great successes and failures, both past and recent. Yet one thing I do is press on toward the goal to which I am called. My prayer for anyone reading this is that you do the same, with a life of integrity, and that you are blessed beyond measure. Thank you for the opportunity to know you and consider you friends. Love Always Wins! Peace. :-)