The etymology of words fascinates me. I've subscribed to
Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day" e-mail for, oh, ten or more years
now. Personal goals have been set before to utilize the respective Word
of the Day in a social media post, or in a broadcast, or in a work
e-mail--with a limited success rate. For example, today's (October 19)
WOTD is colubrine - adj. :of, relating to, or resembling a snake.
Sometimes it's hard to incorporate said word. In a recent picture my wife posted on Facebook, I would have said, "The colubrine water hose peeked out of the snow covering our back patio, trying to slither its way over the fence into the backyard." Nevertheless, I want to continue learning and make use of what I learn, and that includes expanding my vocabulary.
When speaking or teaching, I often share the meaning and history of words/discussion terms used to hopefully add meaning and understanding, especially the nuances between denotations and the connotations ascribed to words. That predisposition led the Parkhill youth group kids (and my kids) nicknaming me Webster. I guess I'm kind of like Mr. Portokalos in My Big, Fat Greek Wedding, except I acknowledge that not ever word in the English language derives from Greek (however, a fair number do--"There you go.").
A word that circulates through my head often, and especially in the last number of months, is integrity. Here is Merriam-Webster's definition:
Sometimes it's hard to incorporate said word. In a recent picture my wife posted on Facebook, I would have said, "The colubrine water hose peeked out of the snow covering our back patio, trying to slither its way over the fence into the backyard." Nevertheless, I want to continue learning and make use of what I learn, and that includes expanding my vocabulary.
When speaking or teaching, I often share the meaning and history of words/discussion terms used to hopefully add meaning and understanding, especially the nuances between denotations and the connotations ascribed to words. That predisposition led the Parkhill youth group kids (and my kids) nicknaming me Webster. I guess I'm kind of like Mr. Portokalos in My Big, Fat Greek Wedding, except I acknowledge that not ever word in the English language derives from Greek (however, a fair number do--"There you go.").
A word that circulates through my head often, and especially in the last number of months, is integrity. Here is Merriam-Webster's definition:
integrity
noun in·teg·ri·ty \in-ˈte-grə-tē\Simple Definition of integrity
-
: the quality of being honest and fair
-
: the state of being complete or whole
Full Definition of integrity
-
1 : firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values : incorruptibility
-
2 : an unimpaired condition : soundness
-
3 : the quality or state of being complete or undivided : completeness
Origin and Etymology of integrity
Middle English integrite, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French integrité, from Latin integritat-, integritas, from integr-, integer entire
First Known Use: 14th century
We often used integrity to talk about structural soundness or quality of an artistic work, but it's the first definition listed above that rings through my head. And, when discussing a person, it's the synonyms of character, decency, goodness, honesty, that I want to resonate in my life. I want it to show in my professional life and in my personal life. That requires my entire being to be sound, undivided, complete.
On Monday evening, I met with my flight student who is at the end of course point to review his paperwork and prepare his application for the check ride--or so we thought. Upon review of his logbook and training records, I found he was short by almost an hour of the 3.0 hours required for simulated instrument training. I later found that his solo cross-country flight didn't meet the criteria specified in the regulations. These definitely were issues to be addressed.
With the student having worked with multiple instructors previously, there are numerous things that could have caused this problem: clerical errors in the training system or in his logbook, an oversight by an instructor on the particular lesson's requirements, an honest mistake, etc. So, how to remedy the problem?
Could we have revised his logbook and training records to add on those lessons where it was required the .2 or .3 hours to make the totals match what was required? Sure, as the integrity of the more structured Part 141 course in which he's enrolled usually ensures that the training happens logically and in sequence. So, I could chalk it up to clerical errors, but when things were missing in both the logbook and training system entry, that didn't seem the likely possibility. And, to fabricate entries to satisfy requirements could definitely affect the integrity of the student's training, especially with such an important skill that may be required in an emergency. Trying to check the boxes to satisfy an application isn't worth risking a student's life.
So, I inquired with the lead flight instructor that evening and then with the director of flight operations the next morning concerning how we could proceed. They concurred with the assessment that we needed to supplement training to ensure the requirements were properly met, and that the school would pay for the two extra flights required to do so. It was the right thing to do. The director thanked me for advocating for my student. It wasn't difficult, as it was the right thing to do to ensure his training was complete.
If only personal integrity was always as easy. It's something for which I consistently strive. But, there are times where I feel like Paul did in his writing to the Romans, "For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out." "What a wretched man I am!"
It's more than just being seen as a person of character, one who is decent, honest, moral. It's about being a whole being. Complete. Jesus calls for us to follow God's example of perfect love in Matthew 5. Not that that one will ever be complete/perftect this side of heaven, but one can definitely make it a goal, right? Maybe it goes with what James says about perseverance being able to finish its work so one can be mature and complete.
I want to be a man of integrity, in every sense of the word.
First Known Use: 14th century
Synonyms
character, decency, goodness, honesty, morality, probity, rectitude, righteousness, rightness, uprightness, virtue, virtuousnessWe often used integrity to talk about structural soundness or quality of an artistic work, but it's the first definition listed above that rings through my head. And, when discussing a person, it's the synonyms of character, decency, goodness, honesty, that I want to resonate in my life. I want it to show in my professional life and in my personal life. That requires my entire being to be sound, undivided, complete.
On Monday evening, I met with my flight student who is at the end of course point to review his paperwork and prepare his application for the check ride--or so we thought. Upon review of his logbook and training records, I found he was short by almost an hour of the 3.0 hours required for simulated instrument training. I later found that his solo cross-country flight didn't meet the criteria specified in the regulations. These definitely were issues to be addressed.
With the student having worked with multiple instructors previously, there are numerous things that could have caused this problem: clerical errors in the training system or in his logbook, an oversight by an instructor on the particular lesson's requirements, an honest mistake, etc. So, how to remedy the problem?
Could we have revised his logbook and training records to add on those lessons where it was required the .2 or .3 hours to make the totals match what was required? Sure, as the integrity of the more structured Part 141 course in which he's enrolled usually ensures that the training happens logically and in sequence. So, I could chalk it up to clerical errors, but when things were missing in both the logbook and training system entry, that didn't seem the likely possibility. And, to fabricate entries to satisfy requirements could definitely affect the integrity of the student's training, especially with such an important skill that may be required in an emergency. Trying to check the boxes to satisfy an application isn't worth risking a student's life.
So, I inquired with the lead flight instructor that evening and then with the director of flight operations the next morning concerning how we could proceed. They concurred with the assessment that we needed to supplement training to ensure the requirements were properly met, and that the school would pay for the two extra flights required to do so. It was the right thing to do. The director thanked me for advocating for my student. It wasn't difficult, as it was the right thing to do to ensure his training was complete.
If only personal integrity was always as easy. It's something for which I consistently strive. But, there are times where I feel like Paul did in his writing to the Romans, "For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out." "What a wretched man I am!"
It's more than just being seen as a person of character, one who is decent, honest, moral. It's about being a whole being. Complete. Jesus calls for us to follow God's example of perfect love in Matthew 5. Not that that one will ever be complete/perftect this side of heaven, but one can definitely make it a goal, right? Maybe it goes with what James says about perseverance being able to finish its work so one can be mature and complete.
I want to be a man of integrity, in every sense of the word.
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