In a world designed to teach you what to buy, how to live, and who to follow, we see individuals everywhere caving into the pressures of what everyone else thinks. This leaves little room for authentic personal expression and strong independent thought. Before we leave the house even what we're going to put on for clothes is determined at least partly by what the people around us must think of us. We become obsessed with pleasing others and what their opinions are on every detail. This may sound like a bit of an exaggeration, but between the media and our peers it causes us to think. What really motivates us to make certain decisions, especially the important ones?

The character quality of integrity comes to mind. Having personal integrity means being honest, moral, upright, and whole. It gives the idea of being authentic in every opportunity, mind, body, and soul. It involves a code of ethical behavior and principles. That those core values define how you live and how you treat others.

I like the idea of being "whole". It calls to my mind being satisfied, happy, and healthy. I believe the pursuit of personal integrity is one of the greatest qualities to develop. Achieving this will help us all live rich lives and chase what is truly important to each one of us. On the other hand, when we break our own set of personal values, it weakens us and our confidence. Our ability to stand for what we most care about falters.

Developing this quality though takes constant effort. Especially living in our society where many of our decisions are being made for us on a daily basis. So how can we focus on being true to ourselves?

We first need to make some time for some deep self analysis and meditation. What is it that really moves us to live our lives to the fullest? What values define us and what is most important to us? What worlds could you jot down that best describe what you want to be as a person, what you want from others the same. These words describe what your sense of integrity means. Having a strong sense of who you are inside and who you want to be as you grow are what you need to keep before you every day.

Next, look at choices you've made in the past, both good and bad. What caused you to go that route? What were you feeling at that time and who influenced you to feel that way. How did your core principles play a part in those choices? If they were absent, why? Now consider what challenges or decisions you're facing right now. Do you see a pattern in the route you're about to take? If you're about to make a choice you do not feel 100% confidant in, what is stopping you from doing what you truly want?

These are not simple things to meditate on, but will definitely help you understand yourself and what makes you truly happy. From here you can decide what changes you need to make in order to successfully follow the right path. That is, the path right for you.

As you continue making intentional decisions and actions based on personal integrity you will notice your self confidence and happiness grow. This is such a beautiful thing. It's probably one of the most difficult things to do, but extremely worthwhile. Also, as you become a person of integrity, the choices you make will become more natural. You will in a sense become the person you most want to be, and this will have an astounding effect on the people around you as well.

We create the person we are on a daily basis by the choices we make from the smallest to the biggest. Who we are determines our future, how we treat others, and to an extent how the treat us. I cannot think of many ways to be a solid and happy person. Integrity makes us whole.