The Wholehearted Practice of Living With Integrity
When people experience you, what do they remember?
Your kindness
Your passion
Your honesty
Your persistence
Your resilience
Is how you show up now who you want to be known as?
This is what defines your integrity – walking your walk and talking your talk with consistency so you become the person you’re proud of.
This month, join us on a self-reflective journey exploring who we desire to become and how we can begin to live more fully with integrity.
What would it be like to know that you’re living all out, fully embracing life and all its opportunities in a brave, bold, and beautiful way that reflects your core values?
Imagine a day where everything you intentionally choose or respond to works together allowing you to become more focused and happier. The ancient Greeks named this type of wholehearted living “Arete” – a desire to live a life of moral virtue and excellence so you meet your full potential!
Yet somewhere between Plato and Play-Doh, as busy people and parents we have largely lost this sense of purpose and drive. Our days often seem more reactive and less creative. We begin to feel less empowered and more drained as we let our focus drift away from living with purpose to simply completing mundane tasks.
So what can we do to embrace and reclaim this Arete lifestyle while in the middle of the mess?
Let’s start with these three simple steps:
1) Name Your Purpose
What drives you to really do what you do? Is it money, position, opportunity, or recognition? Or something else entirely? Maybe you’re in your current role out of necessity as you raise your littles or care for an aging parent or grandparent. THIS is your WHY. Whatever territory you inhabit in this season, name your purpose.
2) Define Your Value
No matter what season of life you are in now and how you spend your days, you have extreme value and significance. Let that REALLY sink in. Take a moment to reflect on and define your value and what grounds you.
3) Live Fully
As you use your purpose as a compass and value as your fuel, now it’s time to channel your passion to embrace what’s possible when you choose to LIVE FULLY! Imagine how your life would look and feel different if you allowed yourself to live wholeheartedly with purpose.
Reflection Time
Who are you being now?
The last year likely taught you a lot about yourself. You may have some first-hand experience reflecting on deep, personal questions like:
What helps me feel more focused and productive?
How do I structure my days to stay motivated?
Who do I default to becoming when I’m stressed or struggling?
What do I really need more (or less) of now?
This season may have been one of immense self-discovery or you might still be sitting with these big questions as you unpack all that has transpired.
Wherever you are on your journey, know this: It’s never too late to start living with integrity.
Use these three steps to embrace Arete and live fully so you are known for your integrity.