Integrity

The other day, when I was griping to my therapist about how disappointing it is when things go wrong and people make mistakes, she suggested that not everyone possesses integrity.

Now, I’m nearly 40 and consider myself a realist, but this sort of shook me. I know that there are “bad apples” out there, but I do really believe that most people are decent—or want to be—most of the time. I assume that people are always trying to better themselves, always striving for more.

She suggested that’s not true. She said she has more young women than I’d care to know about come into her office with plans to just be social media influencers, or live on welfare. Actual PLANS to do nothing. That really startled me.

I am so grateful for my life, and for all that I’ve achieved. I’m grateful for my work ethic and grit. I know that my childhood struggles played a substantial role in that, and while I’m not necessarily grateful for the trauma, I’m grateful for the person I became through it.

Day 106.