The Mom Pledge Blog Prompt - Integrity

I am very committed to the ideals of The Mom Pledge.  As I wrote back on the 18th, I think it's very important to not just say the pledge and let it be that.  While I won't say that I go out of my way looking for bullies, but if I come across one I will NOT let it stand uncontested.  No one should be afraid to post in their own space.

In an effort to keep The Mom Pledge in the forefront of our minds, the founder of The Mom Pledge, Elizabeth Flora Ross, has come up with new content to help us keep getting the word out.  Starting next Saturday, there will be a Blog Hop every week.  It's a great way to get to know other Mommy Bloggers, make some friends and get to know your sisters-in-bloggerhood.  The other feature that she started was a monthly prompt to get us thinking and posting about the Mom Pledge.  While the list that she has on the blog are supposed to be taken in order, if you want to change it up, you're welcome to.  And the prompts aren't labeled by month so you can start at the beginning whenever you jump in.  Me, I'm starting today.

The first prompt that has been given involved integrity.

"I am a proud mommy blogger. I will conduct myself with integrity in all my blogging activities. I can lead by example." What does integrity mean to you?

For me, integrity is living up to your ideals as closely as you can.  We all have moments of weakness - it's what makes us human.  We all have the snarky thoughts that run through our mind when we read or see something that we don't agree with.  I know I've been guilty of it.

But integrity is what we DO about those thoughts.  Integrity is recognizing the thoughts as snark and not putting them to paper, electrons or lips.  Integrity is trying, for just a moment, to put yourself in someone else's shoes.  Integrity is practicing what you preach.

The world is made up of different people with different ideals.  I think it is our duty, particularly as parents, to accept those differences and not denigrate them because of their differences.  Most of us, I believe, want our children to be accepting of others and to live successfully in a diverse world.  If we were to allow ourselves to speak in our moments of weakness, or to turn our backs when we see another being ridiculed for their own differences, what kind of lesson are we teaching?  Do as I say, not as I do?  Not a very good one, in my mind.

So I chose to have integrity in my blogging.  I talk about my day.  I blog about things that I'm doing and, sometimes, people that I meet.  But I try very hard never to bring anyone down in what I write.  The same goes for my commenting in others' blogs, even if I don't agree with what they are saying.  It IS possible to disagree with someone in a respectful manner - even on the internet.

I also try to think of my internet integrity in the same way that I think of my offline integrity.  To most of you, I am words on a screen.  You've never met me.  You only know the face that I've presented to you, through the words I've chosen to write and the pictures I've chosen to put up.  I have anonymity in this.  I can invent myself to be whoever I want online.  But what I want to be is the same person I am when I'm not typing words into a computer.  I don't want to hide behind an online persona, for the "pleasure" of knocking someone down a peg.  The opinions of those I've come to admire and befriend online are as important to me as the opinions of those who are part of my everyday offline life.  Knowing that I am the same, whether online or in person, is important to me.  So I refuse to allow myself to lose any of that integrity due to cruelty to others.

As per usual, this is a stream of consciousness post.  Most of mine will be.  It's the way I write.  But I also think it comes across more honestly than if I were to let it sit for a few days.

I hope you continue to read my blog and continue to offer your support to The Mom Pledge.