Friday, 09 April 2010

Integrity In All Things

You're more than your defeats,… and you're more than your achievements.  It pays to keep that in mind when pursuing victory and when dealing with defeat.  We all know the great feeling that comes with winning, achieving, and excelling in something we love.  And of course, it hurts to lose.  Yet when you abandon your most treasured values in order to win, the prize you gain will be empty.  And when you discard your integrity in order to achieve a lofty goal, the achievement you gain will have no lasting value.  You see, the value of achievement is not in the achievement itself.  The real value of achievement is in how it was gained -- Because that, my friends, expresses who you truly are. 

Focus on winning, to be sure.  But be careful not to defeat yourself just so you can claim victory.  Each achievement you pursue is an opportunity to bring out the best that is within you.  Do that, and whether you win or lose the battle of the moment, you'll still have something of real and lasting value -- Your integrity, your honor, and the loyalty of those closest to you.