who you are when no one (& everyone) is looking

Hybels’ book Who You Are When No One is Looking -I admit- never finished it, however I got just enough in to put a high value on making a robust effort at trying to live my whole life with integrity. “To be a woman of integrity,”  is a specific prayer I’ve been asking God for for at least 10 years.

Last week our Greek class was given a take home mid-term!  (What is she crazy???)  It took all of my emotional energy to take that midterm without cheating.  I decided to be the answer to my own prayer & be who I want to be though no one would have known had I cheated.

Yesterday, I got a call from the wonderful folks at the AAUW (where I received a scholarship) who -after reading my blogs- were growing concerned that I may either flunk out or drop out.  And who can blame them as I’ve been lumbering on and on about how challenging this experience has been for me?

I try not to be such a pessimistic writer, but alas I can’t break out!  But if anyone else is wondering –I’m NOT quitting or failing!  As the old adage goes, if it’s worth having it’s worth working hard for.  I’m challenged right now to be sure.  But, I’m a fighter.  There will be no quitting or failing from this one. Sheesh, I’ve persisted through things A LOT harder than what I am experiencing now to get to where I am now.

Just two hours before that…

I got an email from a large non-profit Senior advancement officer warning those of us who make our living primarily raising funds to be careful about posting our political views on facebook, myspace or other such public blog or social network.  He warned about major donors pulling support if you support the candidate they do not.  Interact with politics, care for politics, engage it with wisdom & discernment — but be shrewd as a snake when posting on it.  I’ve never been shrewd, so… I’m out.

Just two hours before that…

I saw on article on msnbc.com about college kids getting denied entrance into certain College’s & Universities based on their facebook, Xanga & MySpace account details & photos!  The world is watching.

What is more important then, who you are when no one is looking, or who you are when everyone is looking?  I venture to say both.  Is there ever a time when we shouldn’t be people of integrity in any situation no matter what the implications?

The lesson for today, kiddos is have integrity & watch what you put on the Internet!

(or as my 68 yr. old mother calls the entirety of the World Wide Web, “the yahoo.”)