The Thursday Principle: Integrity
The Spiritual Principle Integrity
The Spiritual Principle integrity lies behind A.A. Step Five: “Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.”
“If we have truly done a thorough job of introspection and evaluation of our assets and shortcomings, do we have the integrity to own up to it? It can be very difficult to be open and honest about our past behaviors. We begin to learn to do the right thing even though no one is watching.”
Integrity is first defined as “the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.” Most A.A.’s have had severe issues with being honest, with ourselves and/or with others. We’ve had even more severe issues maintaining anything like moral principles or moral uprightness.
Integrity is also defined as “the state of being whole and undivided,” which is another problematic matter for most A.A.’s. We come into the program broken, shattered, in pieces. Now we endeavor to put ourselves back together.
Maintaining the Spiritual Principle integrity throughout Step Five enables us to eventually be whole again. If we take this Step with rigorous and unflinching honesty, we in turn will be rewarded with inner peace. Yes, this Step takes facing facts we might otherwise prefer to ignore. But it allows us to face ourselves and others with our heads held high.
When was the last time you got to experience that kind of blessing?
Healing Properties and Recovery Boot Camp clients and grads experience that kind of blessing all the time. That’s why we swear by A.A.’s Twelve Step dynamic. And why we employ A.A.’s program from Day One of RBC’s Basic Training. And why we continue working the Steps throughout and beyond your stay. The program is a recipe for a fully-realized life. The Spiritual Principle integrity assures us of this.
