Ethics ~ Is it a fading honor?

Our economy has been brought to its knees, decent men and women have been left homeless and jobless, and children are going hungry across this great nation of ours all due to the lustful greed of men in power. What has ever happened to honor, integrity and living by a code of ethics?

I did not grow up in the strongest of family units but, I was still taught as a young child to live by a “Golden Rule” and to “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” There were times during those earlier years when I did not quite understand their meaning. However, their importance was drummed into my psyche until I practiced and lived by them without thought or reservation.

Then too as we grow older, we begin to define and understand the difference between right and wrong. What makes us turn a blind eye and deaf ear to that inner voice inside us all that says to follow the righteous path? Is it because money, power and the passion to succeed and be recognized is so great we will go any length to acquire it and forsake the well being of so many who stand in our path?

Where does the blame lie? Perhaps, with parents who do not guide with a firm hand, subordinates or colleagues who do not question the wrong or bosses who nurture the bad behavior. Someone drops the ball along the way and allows it to fester and grow. Poor behavior simply does not happen. Poor behavior is allowed.

How we live our lives and demonstrate positive values and beliefs such as honesty, integrity, loyalty and fairness is the very core of our existence on this earth. It should not only carry into our professional lives but how we conduct ourselves with our neighbors, friends and families. We will never receive from others what we do not demand of ourselves. It is time to stand up and set an example … it is never too late to begin and a baby step can prove as powerful as a ripple in a pond. To do nothing is an injustice. Remember, it was but a tiny stone that felled the mighty Goliath and brought him crashing to his knees.