What is Real Integrity?

We all know that "Integrity" means trustworthiness & honesty, but I feel the true meaning of real integrity goes way beyond this. I was watching an episode of Dr. Phil http://blog.drphil.com/ the other day and he was speaking on what true integrity means; he stated that true meaning of integrity is "When you behave in a good way when you don't have too" and "Doing the right thing when nobody is watching, nobody is listening, nobody is making you do it, that is integrity".

This reminds me of a time when I was doing a real estate transaction for family that was buying a home in Brea, CA. We were down to the wire to close this deal and all we needed was final funding approval. This couple was getting a second loan from a private lender from his work to make all this happen. Without this second loan the buyer wouldn't be able to proceed forward. We were just two days from closing and waiting for the funding to come in when the first lender said they wouldn't fund this home till the second private lender raised their interest rate to at least 6% (Crazy I know...they were getting this loan at a great rate of 2%). The private lender absolutely refused to change their rate even though we told them they can revise it after it is done funding. Again they refused and said absolutely not. We were beside ourselves! The loan officer that I was using at that time, said all we have to do is change this on paper and fax it over to the first loan lender to state that the buyer is paying 6%. This would have been as easy as "White Out". I told the loan officer that I wouldn't do this and we would have to find another way to close this transaction. He stated this was the only way or it was going to fall out of escrow. He stated to me that it wouldn't harm anyone but was just a technicality. Again, I said no that I would not change a document even though it was very minor. Other real estate agents may think I am a nut for not doing this, but my faith and integrity wouldn't let me even though I didn't want this to fall through and I loose all my commission (over $10,000). I final had to approach my buyer in regards to all this and being they are a faith believing family, they that felt God was telling them no on this property since this was all happening. Well, I truly thought it was over. Believe it or not, the seller who was actually a very grumpy guy (wouldn't believe he would ever do this), let my buyers take out a second loan through him (seller's financing) and let them pay it back with this other private lender after we closed escrow. I couldn't believe what just happened, but I truly do believe this, that God blesses the people in this world that has real integrity and trusts in Him. " Colossians 3:17 http://bible.cc/colossians/3-17.htm

I hope this helps you know that doing what is right even when no one is looking is always better then any form of deception. Plus it sure helps you sleep better at night.

Jodi Salazar
"JoSal"