Good Intentions: The Enemy of Integrity

People are always meaning well… That’s often the trouble. Penelope Lively

“Be a man of your word.” “Let your yes be yes, and your no be no.” “If you ever need anything, just give me a call.” Or, “When you move, just let me know. I can help.”

Whew? Such clichés are uttered with the greatest of intentions, and utmost sincerity. Unfortunately, at times these good intentions are also uttered without much forethought—the receiver of these promises actually believes the promisor meant what was said.

That’s the trouble isn’t it? Meaning to do something to help another and actually doing it very often have little correlation. Sincerity and compassion flounder with the passing of time, sometimes after only a handful of days (or hours even).

I can recall this in my own life, when I may have made a fleeting comment without truly thinking about it what I had just committed to. I can recall times when my compassionate heart has lead to disappointment, frustration and even anger of others. My good intentions backfired on me.

The result. My integrity was drawn into question, and rightly so. If I genuinely desire to be a man of my word, then it is incumbent upon me alone to be that man of my word, evidenced by my congruent deeds.

What the world needs now is more than good intention. It needs actions corresponding to promises made… even ones made flippantly.

CAUTION:

People are Crazy Enough to Believe What You Say

Photo courtesy of gustavofrazao at istockphoto