In this wired world, it’s heretical to desire simplicity. We tend to want more tasks to prove our worth, more connections so we feel important, and more ways to engage so we can validate what we’re doing.

I’m always in dread of what is slipping through the cracks. Whose Evite did I forget to answer? Is 2:30 am too late to send a text to a coworker? And if I send it, am I a dweeb for working at 2:30 am?

I want the anxiety to stop. I want to stop the tweeting.

But on the other hand, I do want to stay relevant enough to retire well.

What endeavor could I take on to give my life the peace and calm I crave, and yet have value in a culture that hinges on the next great iPhone app?

I think the answer is: integrity.

Integrity is something that everyone wants, few achieve, and almost nobody understands. The word integrity shares a root with integrated and integer: whole.

–noun

1. adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.
2. the state of being whole, entire, or undiminished: to preserve the integrity of the empire.
3. a sound, unimpaired, or perfect condition: the integrity of a ship’s hull.

Can I achieve integrity? Can I help others do the same?