Finding Peace In Integrity

The Way Of Integrity by Martha Beck was one of the biggest influences on me when I decided to make some huge changes in my life, and it gave me the courage to do so. In the book, Martha explains that being in integrity isn't a self-righteous thing, as religions sometimes make it out to be, but it's a way of living life as who we truly are. The dictionary defines Integrity as, "the state of being whole and undivided". When we let ourselves relax into who we are, we'll find ourselves looking around and  becoming aware of what's going on within us, in our lives, and all around us, which may mean making some big changes. It may also mean having to let go of some things that essentially pull us out of our integrity because they're not allowing us to acknowledge what we know to be true. This is hard because it will probably mean leaving certain people, culture, and society behind. It might also mean losing almost everything and being on our own for a while.  

However, never fear, because it won't last for long. It's just a way to get us headed in the right direction and it's when we find our own path that we'll find those kindred spirits, because they, too, have left society and culture behind, and are walking the unbeaten path right along side us. This journey will, not only, lead us to others like us, but it will also guide us to a greater purpose, or Finding Your Own North Star... another book of Martha's I highly recommend.

I know all too well how hard it is to step away, let it all go, and walk in another direction in order to find my own path and I have to say knowing both places, I think it's harder to stay in a place you know isn't right for you. Doing so will take a toll on our physical and mental health, and we could spend our entire life not being able to become the whole person we were made to be. It might take a leap of faith to leave it all behind, but once we find ourselves on the path where we can let it all go, we begin to see the possibilities... things we could never see before.

I can tell already, this is the path to true freedom and the life we were made for if we dare to take it. Martha says, "We were meant to live in peace". I agree, and, although I'm still working on finding my way home to the peace I long for, I can't wait to see what's waiting for me when I get there. I hope you, too, will find your way home and the peace that comes at the end of the journey. It may be a long road, but as we reach our destination, I think we'll find the light we've been looking for all along...