Integrity.
Hey friends!
It’s been a while since I’ve had any sort of presence on here. To be honest I wasn’t quite sure where my voice fit in. I’m still not sure but I know what I have to say will resonate with someone out there and if I can help one person then my mission is a success.
Integrity. I’ve talked about this word with my two little ones a lot lately. Like A LOT! We’ve delved into what it means and how it’s applied within our family but we also talked about its importance when it comes to the foods we eat, the people we surround ourselves with and the lifestyles we want to live, essentially our everyday environment.
Integrity… the state of being whole, honest and having strong moral principles. All of these will vary from person to person but every single one of us has some integrity within us.
Integrity when it comes to food: for me personally it comes down to trust. I was always the first to buy organic everything but especially produce and meats. As I got to know our local farmers and ranchers I realized that it’s just another label that these small businesses have to jump through. In the end they are doing MORE than what is required to be labeled organic in the states without having to shovel out all the extra dollars for that label. My local farmers/ranchers open their property and are always willing to teach their philosophies on weed control, pest control, sustainability and how to regenerate the land they work on. I get to see how their animals are raised, what they eat, and get to see how happy they are. To me, to our family that is more than a label. Remember, you can pay the farmer now or pay the doctor later.
Integrity within our environment: My parents always told me, “remember you are who you hang out with” growing up I brushed it off but as an adult I appreciate that they instilled that in me. Surrounding myself with people who lack integrity, who are negative and have no drive are energy vampires. I don’t want any part of that but I can’t always avoid those people so I control what I can. Instead I choose to surround myself with people who have a passion for something, even if it’s different than mine. More often than not, those people appreciate who I am, they are authentic, honest and value my time as much as I value theirs.
Other things to consider within your environment, think everyday toxins, household items. Cleaners, the hand soap you use, laundry detergent, shampoos and conditioners. Maybe you’re wondering how we have integrity with these products? Let me tell you it’s an adjustment but just as you would ditch and switch a meat product you do the same with a soap, detergent or cleaner. There is always a cleaner option. Check out my recent post on instagram for a few everyday ditch and switch ideas.
We only have today for what it’s worth. The same 24 hours that every other person gets. How are you going to use it? Are you going to live it with integrity? The choice is yours my friend.