Learn to Thrive


On Living With Integrity

Whether it’s to lose weight, travel more, pursue a creative hobby, or something else entirely, chances are you or someone you know is setting a New Year’s resolution. 

Many of the resolutions we set are commitments to achieving a certain outcome or milestone, oftentimes ones that are outside of our control. While these achievements are important, they aren’t as emotionally fulfilling as we might believe. 

Our problem is we are too focused on changing our lives rather than changing ourselves. In other words, we want things to be different, but we don’t want to do things differently.

What if instead of trying for more, we start with loving what’s already there? Instead of committing to an outcome, why not try committing to a process, or a way of being?

  • I could add in here a link to [[In Pursuit of In Pursuit of Enough]] (ie what if we give up our pursuit of more and choose to live with what’s “enough”)

An intention serves as a determination to act in a certain way; a commitment to a process. Done correctly, it will guide your action to achieving your outcome. We start from the beginning, with the end in mind.

  • I could also, eventually, include a link to [[Suhka]] and [[Tara Brach]]’s mentions of “What if you intended to be happy?”

It’s important to note that living intentionally requires living with integrity, which means making conscious choices that align with your values rather than just acting on impulse—your authenticity comes from what you consistently choose to do, not just what you feel in the moment. 

In other words, integration of your inner and outer self. This is to say, you act in a way that reaffirms your identity. You’re acting in accordance with who you are on the inside, regardless of external forces or circumstances. 

“This way of life requires living in integrity: ensuring that my inner self and my outer self are integrated. Integrity means having only one self. Dividing into two selves—the shown self and the hidden self—that is brokenness, so I do whatever it takes to stay whole. 

I do not adjust myself to place the world. I am myself wherever I am, and I let the world adjust. I will never promised to be this way, or that way, I will only promise to show up, as I am, wherever I am. That’s it, and that’s all. People like me or not, but being like it is not my one thing: integrity is. So I must live and tell my truth.” - Glennon Doyle, Untamed (I could, eventually, link to my book notes and favorite quotes from the book)

This reminds of the old Captain America quote about standing firm in the river of truth. Against all opposition—even when it seems the entire world is against you—you stand your ground and you speak your truth. 

Maybe that’s what we need more of this year, more people willing to forgo the status quo and to hell with what the world thinks. To forsake all others in pursuit of living from the inside out. To not only speak our truth, but to dare to live it out. 

What would it look like for you to live with integrity? What’s one action you can take today to start living intentionally?

Start today. The timing you’re looking for doesn’t exist. You’re not waiting for the right time, or the right person, or the right circumstance to save you from yourself. Be your own hero. Be your own damn savior.


I want to include a COA (call to action) to comment and leave thoughts on how the piece impacted them. How can I do this?

What are some other examples I can find or create using the writing sources I use most?

![[Dom Frank Pre-Zoom Meeting Message.png]]


2025-09-19
© 2025 Ethan Miller.

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