[This letter to my two oldest grandsons, 13 and 11 is not fictional. We'll chat about them during my visits and Dad (Matt, co writer) will engage them in the meantime. This series is also for YOU, "Old Folks." It's a reminder how essential a quality INTEGRITY is to our lives. Thoughts I offer the boys can prod you into fresh thinking. A few moments of reading and a quick inventory just might refresh your soul, might adjust your behavior...today. ]

IF WE CONSTRUCT OUR LIFE WITHOUT INTENTIONALLY ADDING INTEGRITY, IT IS LIKE A RANDOM CONSTRUCTION PAPER CASTLE

Morn’, Guys. In the next couple of letters, let’s get down to the NITTY GRITTY. That’s “old speak” for the core of stuff.

Did you catch it:”nitty GRITY?” I teased you that the Latin root for INTEGRITY was “true GRIT.” See how our English language finds ways to reinforce what’s important (“inteGRITY”)? The question, now that we’ve worked out a definition: SO WHAT?!

Well, we established that personal INTEGRITY is the core of good character. Get it? “Core,” “Nitty GRITY,” “INTEGRITY”? Good character is what people will know you by. Wait, there is one more…it is what YOU come to know yourself by.

For now as I try to keep this short for your school schedule and your attention span, let’s name the personal character traits that come out of INTEGRITY. I just now closed my eyes and thought of six. There are more. Visitors to the comments section–including your dad–have identified several. Check it out.

So, before you turn the page, I’d like you to think of at least six character traits built on INTEGRITY. Keep in mind what INTEGRITY is (you did read the last letter, right?). If you guys are reading this together, see what you can come up with. When we finish, the list should be pretty long. We’ll print it and we can discuss it when we have lunch at the Cowboy Cafe in my next visit. Ready? Think of at least six, then poke “MORE” . . .

Truthfulness

Reliability

Courage

Trustworthyness

Honor

Faithfulness

You guys (including Big People readers) got some more? Name more positive character traits built around INTEGRITY. Share them in COMMENTS (Poke “Comments” in the top banner).

POPI

AND WHAT DOES A SET OF LAB PUPS HAVE TO DO WITH INTEGRITY?
(nothing, just thought you could use a smile)

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