I recently returned from a trip from California and while unpacking discovered a 10 oz. water bottle that I forgot to take out of my back pack.  No big deal right?  Problem is that I took it through in a carry on bag.  I think the rule is no liquids over 3 oz. and put them in a separate bag when going through security.  So not only did I take a container over 3 oz. but if I would have had it in a separate bag in the infamous airport grey tote to shove through the x-ray machine, it would have no doubt, been confiscated.

No harm, no foul.   There was a woman right behind me that got stopped, had her bag checked by hand and run through the x-ray machine again.  They took her toothpaste, which was .25 oz. over the limit and a tube of skin cream.  She was not happy about the $20 worth of goods she had just donated to the airport garbage can (Is that really where the good stuff ends up?)

A couple things crossed my mind after reflecting on this. One, the obvious, how good is our airport security?  The second, more of an ethical question.  How often do we bend or break the rules because we can get away with it?  I love the quote:

“Character is defined by who you are when nobody else is looking.”

I admit, there are probably numerous rules I break or bend and some of them, when other people are looking.  Driving a little fast.  Not always using my turn signal when changing lanes.  Sometimes I even make up excuses why I did not return a phone call. Now, I’m not all bad.  I did tell the cashier that she forgot one of the sandwiches when she rang up more order the other day.  Why?  It seemed like the right thing to do.

But what is our code of ethics and is it different depending on who we are with.  Here are a few thoughts on why we should follow the rules:

1.  LEAD BY EXAMPLE

Even when we think nobody is looking, someone usually is.  People do what people see.  What happens when it’s a co-worker or worse yet, one of your kids.

2.  INTEGRITY

It takes years to become known as a person of integrity but one slip can ruin a reputation that took a long time to build.  Isn’t that worth protecting?

3.  CREDIBILITY

Do you want to be known as a dependable person, someone that can be trusted?  Most people adhere to the idea that if you can’t handle the small things, you can’t handle the larger ones either.

4.  RESPONSIBILITY

I believe we all have a moral responsibility to do the right thing.  We have a responsibility to ourselves as well as others.  It’s hard to fake honesty and integrity.

All in all, I make the right decisions most of the time.  But is that enough?  My answer is no.  Why shouldn’t we make the right decision all the time.  It’s just a simple matter of choice so why do we struggle?  I could probably write another thousand words on the why, but instead I think I will just put more thought into making the right choices.

Challenge yourself not to be as good as the next guy but as good as you can be yourself.  The only person you will see in the mirror is you.  I know most of these decisions are not life changing in themselves, but any one of them might result in changing a life.  Don’t underestimate the power of what one choice can make.

The next time you have the opportunity to bend or break the rules, do the right thing and make the choice that you will be proud of.

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Barry Smith   www.buildingwhatmatters.com   10/22/12            photo by author