Do you have integrity?

Are you true to yourself?

That's a hard question because as humans, it's natural for us to want to fit in. In order to fit in, we may have to deny some aspect of ourselves, our likes, our personality, or our beliefs, that for whatever reason, may be considered stupid or offensive to the people who we are trying to fit in with.  Especially if they are different in whatever way.  The pressure to conform is especially intense when those around us markedly differ in ideology, lifestyle, or values.

In other words, we tend to become who or what we spend our time with. We become one of the guys when we are with the guys. We become a holy roller when we are in church. We become something entirely different when we are at work. Sometimes, it may even require us to go against our beliefs because we are afraid of what the others in that group may think if we come out as who we truly are.

Integrity means staying true to yourself, no matter what kind of situation you are in. It requires me to acknowledge my identity as a Catholic in all situations and be mindful of how I present myself to others. It doesn't mean I have to preach or defend my faith to people who are babbling on and on about nonsense just to keep the attention on them, just that I can't deny it just to impress some idiot who thinks they know the way. I have to stay on my own path. I have to stay on the path that God put me on.  Occasionally I will stray, but if I stay true to myself, it will be easier to get back on.

Honestly who gives a hoot what others think? That's all vanity. It's not going to matter when the bills come due. If they can't accept you for who you really are, then simply move on. If you live an authentic life with God and love as the guiding light, others will be drawn to that.  

Life will go on regardless.  

 

The TikTok Ban

Today I want to bring it back into the secular world.  Specifically, the looming TikTok ban that is set to happen this coming Sunday, January 19th, 2025.  

The US Government is concerned that the app can be used to spy on Americans, and that the Chinese Government can demand collected information from the company which owns and runs TikTok.  

Sadly, this means that a lot of content creators, who have been making a living off of TikTok are about to lose their income.  It's going to happen, Just Like That.

@isatandstared Replying to @Maddie🌛 ♬ original sound - Kass Theaz

As a content creator myself, I feel the pain.  In fact, I once ran a blog that covered a very controversial topic that became somewhat successful and even made a little bit of money through Google AdSense, only to have it cut off the minute Google made a new rule that my blog apparently didn't follow.  Just like that, it was gone.  

Now I blog for the artistic and creative expression rather than the money.  If I can make a little bit, then great, but I have learned not to rely on it.  It takes too much work.

We shall see what happens though.

The Smoking Spot

I had a humbling experience yesterday.  I, for a moment, got to experience the way some people live.  

I went to see an old friend for the first time in years.  He has a lot of health problems.  He always has.  They have gotten worse over the years.  It was sad to see.  I need to pray for him.  He is in a weakened state.  

My friend has been living in a large building in South Portland Maine, with apartments that are subsidized for the elderly and disabled.  This place has become somewhat of a community.  Most of the people are unable to work but are able to live independently in their own flats.  They don't really go anywhere.  Maybe the grocery store.  Maybe the doctor.  Maybe to church.  

With that, his life has fallen into a repetitive pattern.  In other words, he has adopted this lifestyle which is common in these types of places.  

The place has a strict no smoking rule.  There is no smoking allowed on the premises, no smoking allowed in the apartments, so those who do smoke have to go outside onto a little side street, which has become a sort of community gathering spot for the smokers of "whatever" who live in the building.  

While out there, these people have no protection from the elements.  There are no benches to sit on.  There are no ashtrays set up.  For those who have cars, these cars have become their smoking rooms.  It's a luxury not shared by all who live in the building.  They sit smoking while listening to the radio or watching Tic Tok on their smartphones.  

One guy was smoking what was left of a big old stogey, another sat in his car smoking a joint.  Marijuana is legal in Maine, so it has become part of the way of life there.  You're not supposed to smoke weed in a car, but they do.  A couple more people sat there in their wheelchairs on the side of the road smoking their cigarettes.  This is what these people do all day.  They sit in their apartments until it's time to go have a smoke.  Then they go out in the freezing cold.  Then go back in.  The lucky ones who have their cars at least have protection from the elements.  Most don't.  

I quit smoking years ago, but even when I did, I never had to do anything like that.  It's just ridiculous to me.  This is really the way of life for some.  They'll sit in their apartments watching something on TV, then go outside to have a smoke.  Then they do it all over again, and again and again.  It goes on all day.  

It made me realize how good I have it.  It makes me see how lucky I really am.  My life could be so much worse, so much more mundane.  Sure, it could be better.  But I have what I need.  I have my health.  I have my stability.  I have opportunities.  I have a family.  I have my strength (for the most part).  I have options.  

Still, I spend too much time focusing on what I don't have, and thinking I'd be happy if I did.  Imagine that.  

So let that be a lesson in gratitude for you.  Because if your life at least has a little spice in it, you got it good.