Integrity

I don't think any word has figured as much in our conversations this year. Hubby and I continually discuss about how less and less people seem to have integrity these days. Gossip is a very lucrative business, tardiness is fashionable, running away from financial obligations is more commonplace, lying at the drop of a hat to achieve an end - I can go on and on. So when I read a newspiece in CNN that says the word Integrity is the most frequently looked up word in the Merriam-Webster website this year, I was surprised. It made me wonder if it's because people do not know what it means or if it's because they are just concerned about retaining its definition in their minds.

in·teg·ri·ty
n.
1. Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.
2. The state of being unimpaired; soundness.
3. The quality or condition of being whole or undivided; complete

Lying politicians, molesting ministers and teachers, easily bribed law enforcers, drugged out sportsmen, philandering movie/tv stars are the headliners of this year. We are inundated with this kind of news every single day.

It's no wonder people have to look up the meaning of this word. It doesn't seem like those who lead our society are great examples of it. Sad.