Integrity

 INTEGRITY

 My friend was animatedly expressing his anger at the irresponsible behaviour of people flouting basic safety norms during the pandemic. ‘They must be named and shamed’, he insisted. When asked ‘How’ he replied, ‘expose them at the same place where they flaunt proof of how they flouted the guidelines… on social media!’

 I started to move away. My friend asked, ‘Where are you going?’ I replied, ‘I am off to put together photos and posts of a friend who went for parties, wore the mask on his chin, went for group picnics, posed in large intimate groups on the beach… I have over a dozen evidences of his mischief.’

 My friend was ecstatic, ‘Great! Such rogues must be taught a lesson… Who is it? Anyone I know?’ I quietly replied, ‘YOU!’

 It is rightly said that the true test of character is what you do when no one is watching. Most people who purposefully do wrong things, do so stealthily when no one is watching. However later, they have a story they want to tell. And many end up telling it or showing it on social media.

 This flaunting, of what you flouted, is a clear sign of a lack of remorse. Instead they ‘show off’ their ‘privilege’ to break the law and ‘get away’. It is indicative of being above and beyond restrictions and implications. And it is the same tribe that will claim the high moral ground when someone else is caught.

 We must ask ourselves whether we do what we expect others to do. Integrity is about aligning our actions to what we know is the right thing to do. The best way to avoid getting caught doing a wrong… is to not commit the wrong! Forget about who else may be watching… we must watch our acts!

 The dark will not let you get away

Light up your integrity every day!

 ~ Pravin K. Sabnis