Integrity (continued)

So far I've touched on how integrity is about making and keeping promises/commitments you make to yourself. I've also said that achieving this is a process of "integrating" ourselves physically, mentally, philosophically/(spiritually) and socially.

Last blog, I touched on the physical aspect which is foundational because if we are sleep deprived, malnourished, (under, over or poor choices) or unfit (from too little or too much activity) our results on the other aspects will be limited, or non-existent.

Arguably some would say with a great deal of validity that philosophy should be the foundation as, determining out purpose in life would be the starting point but in fact all aspects are interdependent as any one missing will often undo the good of the others.

For now I will touch on the mental. Reading/learning is to the mind what proper physical care is to the body. Always seek to discover knowledge and weigh it against what you think you already know so that you don't stagnate.

Two quotes I like are

"The most important things we learn are those things we learn after we think we know everything."

The other one, from a scientist, is, "50% of what we think we know is wrong, we just don't know which 50%."

When we read we should always think critically and not simply accept what the writer tells us.

For now, I will recommend books/websites on the physical aspect that I spoke of in the last blog. It is a great place to start as doing the physical wrong, as is all too likely with the misinformation that is rampant in this area will be counterproductive to achieving the goal of integrity.

On a side note, simply cultivating these habits as with the formation of any good habits, will make it that much easier to form habits in other areas of our lives.

The sources I recommend not only give valuable information but do so in a fashion that requires you to think critically and not just take their word for it.

Body by Science by Doug McGuff and John Little. Bodybyscience.net

renaissanceexercise.com

garytaubes.com and his books, Good Calories, Bad Calories and Why We Get Fat, and What to do About it.

Already too long of a post, see you soon to discuss, the philosphical and social aspects, of being "integrated".