Recently my heart sunk when I was accused of something that not only was UNTRUE, but I had felt was actually happening TO ME- by this very woman!

I’m not into unnecessary drama, but when 2 powerful women feel infringed upon, emotions can run HIGH.

Because she’s a colleague I respect I won’t get into details but the essence of what I learned through this experience is …priceless!

Suddenly I recalled being 19 again working as an Assistant Fitness Director at a large Health Club …

Part of my duties was to give fitness assessments and teach fitness classes-

I LOVED this career and enjoyed teaching all my students (including famous sports stars that attended :-))

People lined up an hour early just to get a spot because my classes were packed.

So some of my fellow instructors actually started to ‘borrow’ my choreography, routines and sequences I suppose in hopes to fill their own classes.

At first when I discovered this I was upset…but then I noticed something surprising:

their classes still weren’t being filled to the brim like mine were.

That’s when I received something so valuable it’s always stayed with me-

that no one could teach my classes exactly like ME- no one could do me as well as I could do me!

It wasn’t the music I played or the moves I had that made my classes the most popular.

I believe it was my raw passion for my students’ results, how much I cared- the ENERGY I infused into my classes.

After realizing all that, I no longer cared who tried to teach my style of class!

So back to what happened recently with my colleague and I…

When I noticed her moving into a very particular topic that I’m known for… well, I felt a little lump in my throat form.

I was confused and disappointed- as if she was stepping on the toes of my brand…

I’ve noticed this type of thing happening alot online…

I initially intended on contacting her- but then to my amazement she reached out to me basically communicating what I was going to.

Why did I decide not to share with her my initial feelings?

Because I chose to shift my focus off her and reclaim my Treasure…the shining pearl in the sand:

INTEGRITY

Mine~ I had already been presenting this topic for years & not that I could do it better, rather that it had been such a deep and rich part of my own embodiment journey that I was secure in it no matter what.

&

Hers~ Although there was a striking similarity, she was expressing it in her own way and it felt clear that like me she had come by this knowledge organically, authentically- she was expressing her truth.

Whenever someone is accusing you of something you didn’t do, OR you did- but they misinterpreted it- either way, when you are in integrity you are on SOLID ground regardless of their misinformed disapproval.

Integrity is a love affair between your values and your actions.

Integrity is one of the most beautiful and powerful gifts one can ever cultivate for themselves.

Integrity is subtle…it’s in the ways you treat people when you are under pressure or having a bad day.

It shows up in how you respond to temptation, especially when no one is looking.

It’s how you relate to yourself and others with impeccability- even when it costs you and is inconvenient.

It’s a solid, stable, and surprisingly satisfying ability to have grace under fire, an invisable strength.

It’s the power of a flower to grow through the concrete and reach up to the light of the sun.

Being true to yourself infuses you with integrity.

Integrity’s a noble spirit who won’t stand out in a crowd but wins your heart when you recognize her rare beauty.

Integrity is the marriage of aligning what you do and say, when your inner world matches how you show up.

Integrity is a superpower like in the story of David and Goliath- nobody and nothing can over-power integrity.

Integrity is the communication between a loving couple that keeps the fabric of their relationship free of devastating tears and stains throughout the years.

Integrity is when a man lives by his code and a woman upholds her own standards.

Integrity is saying what you mean and meaning what you say.

It’s why men commit to a particular woman over all the rest.

Integrity is mental health.

Integrity is applying makeup to enhance rather than cover up.

Integrity is keeping a secret you’ve been entrusted with even when they’d never know you told it.

Integrity is the strength and flexibility of a pussywillow that bends in the storm.

Integrity is the power of water to carve stone.

Integrity is the ‘I’ in STYLE ie wearing the same dress as someone else but with your unique flair.

It’s what nourishes you deep down even when it feels like things aren’t always fair.

Integrity is keeping your promise to your child even though you could easily talk your way around it.

Integrity is keeping your word to yourself.

Integrity is gentleness and firmness, clarity and power.

Integrity is honouring the unseen that you KNOW.

Integrity is walking your talk…all the way to the bank 😉

Integrity isn’t always easy, but it always feels right.

Integrity is Wholeness.

Integrity is one of my Core 4 traits that I strive to cultivate in myself and I admire most in others.

It transformed feeling initially threatened into a beautiful expansion of my own purpose, while being fully open to hers.

In the end the misunderstanding unfolded into an interaction of beauty and truth that brought us into a deeper appreciation of each other and the passion we share!

Integrity is a hidden treasure.

with beauty,

ps Some favorite quotes on Integrity:

“I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to
succeed, but I am bound to live up to what light I have.”  Abraham Lincoln

“It sells for so little, but it’s all we have left in this place. It is the very last inch of us…but within that inch we are free.” V for Vendetta

“The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.” Harper Lee To Kill A Mockingbird

“Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters” Albert Einstein

“Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

“The truly scary thing about undiscovered lies is that they have a greater capacity to diminish us than exposed ones.” Cheryl Hughes

Tagged: exquisite self care, natural health and beauty, raw foods, raw renewal, rejuvenation, sensual beauty