This past weekend I was on the receiving end of a
"hit-and-run" car crash. My wife, youngest son and I were on our way to visit my parents when a car struck us from behind. As I got out of our car to inspect the damage, the other driver backed up, wheeled around us and sped off.

Shocked, I hopped back into our car and followed him long enough for us to jot down his license plate number and phone the police. They advised us to go to a nearby police station and file a report.

It took a long time to fill out the paperwork, and we had to postpone the trip to see Mom and Dad. Still, none of us were hurt and there was virtually no damage to our car. What bothered me the most was that the other driver didn't have the integrity to remain at the scene.

If he had stayed and taken responsibility for his error, I would have quickly assessed our bumper, shaken his hand and sent him on his way. Now he is in considerably more trouble simply because he ran from it.

I don't always do things right. Truth is, I mess things up more often than I like to admit. Still, I've learned that trying to deny or cover up my mistakes only makes things worse. Integrity isn't necessarily doing things right; integrity is doing the right thing.

"Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to face the truth. Do the right thing because it is right. These are the magic keys to living your life with integrity."
- W. Clement Stone

People with integrity have firm footing, but those who follow crooked paths will slip and fall. - Proverbs 10:9

"If humanity does not opt for integrity we are through completely. It is absolutely touch and go. Each one of us could make the difference." - Buckminster Fuller

Make the difference!

Keep running for your prize,

Larry Hehn