Integrity

While doing laundry, the word integrity came to mind, reminding me of situations I encountered over the years.
I once saw integrity described as doing the right thing, even when no-one is watching.
It is one of the best descriptions, I can think of. That said, more often than not, people are watching and trying to influence the choices we make.

Integrity may well be one of the, if not the toughest of values we are facing during our human journey. To me it is the next level of honesty. We can speak our truth, but how do we act, regardless of if anyone is watching? Do we live up to our words? Do we truly walk our talk?
Integrity is an integral part of everyone’s path. It can be as simply as making the effort of sending a photo, we have promised someone. And it may well be tested most in business deals. I can say that I have had my fair share of tests.

When running my travel agency[1] in Mali, I was regularly served with situations where there was a big gap between what was deemed common, and what I considered just. What was labeled as common, often included non-voluntary commissions, gifts or tips. It would in most cases certainly have been easiest and fastest to do what others did. I just couldn’t. My business had to reflect what I stand for.
It started with all the paperwork needed to found the agency in Mali. It took a long time to collect the papers and to hand a clean file to the Ministry of Tourism. The license was granted.

Luckily, a few years later, I crossed paths with an accountant, who appreciated me for my attitude and who was willing to go the extra mile. He has at length talked to institutions, making the miracle of just payments happen. Back in the years very few people understood me. Now that the tides have shifted in Mali, many are paying the price for the so-called discounts they accepted or negotiated. I had peace of mind back then, and I have it now, knowing that I handed a clean business over to my successor.

Once, a long-time client had well in advance made a booking for a half day boat trip. Sure enough, we later received a request for a trip including the same date, which would have our boat and the crew working for six days. Despite the pressure I felt, I stayed true to the first booking, accepting the much lower revenues.

On another occasion an offer was made to me for a boat, that makes my heart shine. The seller offered a deal and fixed the price for two months. A few weeks later a shockwave had gone through my being. Instantly, I had known there was another buyer. There was indeed, and they had made a substantially higher offer than what had been asked of me.
The seller chose to disregard the conditions offered to me. I was disappointed, very much so, as I highly respect this person for both business values and spiritual connection. A Divinely orchestrated deal vanished. I felt the sorrow and had to reconnect to the deep inner knowing that everything is always in perfect Divine order.

A manager I have worked with for many years, once sighed and told me that it wasn’t easy to live up to my values and standards. I had looked at him in surprise. I honestly didn’t understand what he was talking about. To me my standards and values are very easy.
More important than the so-called lost opportunities, are the chances for growth they have given me. I can look back at each of the situations, knowing that I stayed true to my values. I did justice to me, even when I was judged for it.

When I look in the mirror, I am happy with the woman looking back at me. She knows that integrity is always rewarded, and that whatever is meant to be, will be.

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[1] In 2010 I founded Papillon Reizen, which I handed over to a long-term team member in 2021.