Authenticity and integrity
Integrity and authenticity is one skill that sticks out to me the most. I have spent most of my adult life trying to be a woman of integrity and authenticity. I do this by trying to live by my core values. In order to live according to my values, I have to know what they are. When I was a kid, I was not honest in any sense if the word. And I didn’t know what it meant to be authentic or to have integrity. I did everything I could to avoid getting into trouble- even if that meant lying to cover my tracks. As an adult, I have spent most of my time, trying to be honest and authentic and they became two of my biggest core values. Today authenticity and integrity are easy for me, but I really had to work at it.
In the growth path, it says, “Being authentic with ourselves allows us to understand our deepest desires, fears, and motivations. It enables self-acceptance, which is a crucial foundation for personal growth and well-being.” I never saw authenticity as a foundation for personal growth. And I never realized that by being authentic, I was creating a strong foundation for personal growth!
In my opinion, while it states that authenticity creates a strong foundation, many of the other skills within the 5 domains can also create a strong foundation. What skills is your foundation made of and how do they apply to your life?
Some of you are probably wondering how my life changed as I began to be more authentic and how I got there. There are a few things that were crucial as I grew and changed and developed integrity and authenticity as one of my core values. Here is what I did:
- First, I had to have the willingness and the desire to change.
- Second, I needed a strong support system to hold me accountable when I made mistakes. (It is inevitable that we will make mistakes along the way).
- Third, I found resources to teach me how to talk to myself differently. Instead of dreading the day, I woke up and reminded myself to be grateful I was alive and well. Each morning I set an intention for the day. All of my intentions started with “Today I am willing to practice.” For months, my intention every morning was, “Today I am willing to practice being authentic in all of my encounters.” And at the end of the day I praised myself for the things that I was successful at. “Today, I acknowledge myself for being honest with my best friend and asking for what I need.” I did this every single day and eventually my behaviors changed and I became the woman of authenticity and integrity that I had always longed to be.
Authenticity and integrity are part of the values taught in the Inner Development Goals Course, you can learn more about more such values in the course here
@Kristynsmama this is such a great post. I will practice to have all these tools, and mostly I would practice to give myself self love.
@Kristynsmama this is such a great post.
@Kristynsmama This is a very well-written post and very insightful.
@Kristynsmama
This is so true- I feel like such an important step so many people forget about is that you heal for yourself, not your image. These good qualities aren't developed so people brag on you, but to make your life more fulfilling and healthy!
@Kristynsmama
Thank you for this beautiful write up.
The Inner Development Goals (IDGs) framework, which complements the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizes the importance of cultivating inner capacities in individuals to drive positive change and achieve a sustainable future. Student Minds, a UK charity focused on student mental health, embodies the spirit of the IDGs through their projects designed to foster these inner capacities, particularly in the context of higher education.
One example of a Student Minds project that aligns strongly with the IDG framework is their work to promote a more positive experience for care leavers who wish to go to university. This project addresses several key IDG domains:
Thinking & Cognition (e.g., Perspective-taking, Critical Thinking):Student Minds campaigns raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by care leavers in accessing and succeeding in higher education. This encourages perspective-taking among university staff and students, fostering a more understanding and supportive environment. By highlighting the systemic barriers faced by care leavers, they also promote critical thinking about how to create more equitable access to education.
Relating & Connecting (e.g., Empathy, Compassion, Appreciation of Diversity): Student Minds works to build supportive communities for care leavers within universities. By facilitating peer support groups and connecting care leavers with mentors, they foster empathy and connection. These initiatives promote a sense of belonging and reduce isolation, which are crucial for well-being and academic success. The focus on supporting care leavers also demonstrates an appreciation of diversity and a commitment to inclusion.
Being & Acting (e.g., Integrity, Authenticity, Purpose): By empowering care leavers to access higher education, Student Minds supports them in living authentically and pursuing their educational goals with integrity. Providing resources and support enables care leavers to develop a stronger sense of purpose and agency, which are essential for navigating challenges and achieving their full potential.
The challenges faced by care leavers often involve a lack of consistent support, financial hardship, and the emotional impact of past experiences. Student Minds' projects directly address these challenges by advocating for policy changes, providing resources, and fostering supportive communities. This work not only improves the lives of individual care leavers but also contributes to a more just and equitable education system, reflecting the interconnectedness of inner development and societal progress that is central to the IDG framework. By promoting these inner capacities, Student Minds empowers care leavers to thrive in higher education and contribute their unique talents and perspectives to the world, ultimately contributing to the achievement of the SDGs.
@Kristynsmama, It’s inspiring to see how far you’ve come in embracing integrity and authenticity as core values. I agree that understanding our values is crucial in living authentically. Your steps toward change, having the willingness to change, building a support system, and setting daily intentions, are so practical and motivational. I love the idea of acknowledging your successes each day; it helps reinforce positive behavior.
I truly resonate with your journey towards living authentically. Like you, I've experienced times when fitting in felt more important than staying true to myself. Your commitment to aligning with your core values is inspiring and reminds me how transformative honesty and self-reflection can be. @Kristynsmama
One of the topics I really enjoyed is the values based decision making. This topic is very crucial as it is important we make decisions everyday. This course made me understand that is it important to identify challenging situations, list all the options you have in this situation, reflect on your values , evaluate each of your options and how they align with your values. After these steps have been carried out successfully, you can now make a decision. This course also took a step further in teaching me to reflect on my choice and implement my decisions and learn to adjust and make corrections from bad decisions made.
Have you made wrong decisions and how did you handle the consequences?
Another topic that stood out for me is Ikigai: finding purpose.
ikigai is a japanese concept that refers to things that bring values to life and makes our life worthwhile. Finding purpose in life is crucial, and there are four areas to explore purpose; passion, vocation, mission and profession.
The ways to finding your purpose includes;
1. What you love
2. Your strengths
3. What the world needs
4. What you can be paid for
When you are able to reflect on these, then you can find your purpose.
Have you found your purpose?
