Something That is Important to Me by olivetreeann

Something That is Important to Me

According to the American Heritage College Dictionary integrity is the "steadfast adherence to a strict ethical code" and the "state of being unimpaired; soundness". To me it has always meant that what I believe on the inside and ascent to in my mind is also lived out in my day to day dealings with the world. It was something I insisted upon with my children when I raised them and it is also an attribute I look for in my friends. I picked up a package from the mailbox yesterday containing some of my herbal health products. I was looking forward to trying out a new product I'd read about but was disappointed to find the bottle had been shattered in shipping. This morning I called up the company to let them know what had happened and that I really didn't want to send the bottle back as per their return policy. I was pleased when the representative agreed and promised to send a replacement bottle via "second day shipping" (really above and beyond in my opinion but pleasing nonetheless!). I also told her that I would truly be throwing the bottle out- even though I probably could have salvaged half the pills. Some may think that this is crazy. Why not take advantage of the situation and get a free bottle plus the one that was already shipped? My explanation is integrity. My word is only as good as the integrity I have towards keeping it- even when no one else sees. After I took this shot, the bottle and its contents went into the garbage.
You're absolutely right Ann. great idea taking a picture of the shattered bottle. I love the composition of this shot.
March 18th, 2013  
Well stated Ann! Nice POV on both accounts!
March 18th, 2013  
great depth of field!
I like your code of conduct.
March 18th, 2013  
I agree with you..they should go into the garbage..we take pills we don't take anymore to our drugstore and they dispose of them for us..it's safer that way. mind you herbals want probably hurt the environment. I like that you stand to your word.
March 18th, 2013  
I love the photo and also your attitude..
March 18th, 2013  
Honesty is the best policy
March 18th, 2013  
@hudamor @httpgeffed @cdonohoue @bruni @inertie @peterdegraaff

Thank you Huda, Colleen, Cathy, Bruni, Pinar and Peter! I appreciate your hearty agreement.
March 18th, 2013  
Integrity is the most important thing. Good for you!
March 18th, 2013  
Cool shot
March 18th, 2013  
I agree. Integrity is so very important! Excellent photo for today.
March 18th, 2013  
Its also known as conscience! Great little tale and photo!
March 18th, 2013  
I agree with you, Ann! When you act with integrity, you can sleep at night...no guilt feelings! Nicely captured photo, by the way!
March 18th, 2013  
Amen!
March 18th, 2013  
Nice authentic illustration to paint integrity. This is one of the great character traits we taught our boys. I hope the seed is rooted deeply. Great composition.
March 18th, 2013  
I wish everyone felt that way, but being in Law Enforcement, I can tell you, it is in short supply now days.
March 18th, 2013  
@henrir Thank you Henri!
@kerristephens Thank you Kerri!
@mrssmith Thank you Carla! Interestingly I didn't know what I was going to do. I walked around the house for a while, doing chores etc. and thinking, "What is important to me?" Family, friends, faith, but I really wanted to do something different, that I hadn't shot before. Then the character traits I admire popped into my mind and integrity won out. Of course, then I was walking around the house thinking, "How am I going to depict integrity?" It wasn't until I'd made the phone call and was about to throw out the bottle when I realized I was holding the shot of the day in my hands!
@maggiemae Thanks Maggie! I think it might be a little more than conscience because it's something that really runs deep within who you are. But conscience is definitely part of it- or maybe the result. Something to ponder on!
@eudora Thanks Diane! I'd taken a few, but this worked the best as there is a discreet blur on the bottle and the product name. Plus I do like the dof!
@dakotaburns Thanks Donald!
@moreyoulessme Thanks Jerri! Same here- and we do see it even more so now that they are raising their own families.
@sarasdadandmom Thank you Terry- yes. We saw it a lot when Jeff was in innercity ministry as well. When you remove the moral compass from a society, integrity is one of the first things to go.
March 19th, 2013  
great shot Ann, and very true!
March 19th, 2013  
@demmie Thank you Demmie!
March 19th, 2013  
Well said! Love the shot, the pov is wonderful.
March 19th, 2013  
@masosy Thank you Kate! It was a picture that presented itself after I thought of how I would answer the challenge. Thanks for stopping by!
March 19th, 2013  
great shot. I like your honesty. Maybe they should not use glass bottles in shipping....
March 19th, 2013  
Never trust an open bottle, good choice for sure.
March 19th, 2013  
Very nice story. Excellent perspective.
March 19th, 2013  
Bev
Great shot. Love the focus in it. I'm like you. I'd have tossed the whole thing out as well. Who knows if the pills were contaminated somehow when the bottle shattered. You never know what is in the transport with them. I don't buy anything that looks like its been opened either. I once returned a bottle of milk because the safety thingy was tampered with! Yeah... a bit OCD. Anyway... great job on this shot and I'm glad they are shipping your product to you!
March 19th, 2013  
Liked the shot, liked your narrative more, there's a great lack of it these days as many seem to be out just to grab as much of what comes there way as possible!
March 19th, 2013  
It's great when companies have integrity too - I had a similar problem with some business cards I ordered - the delivery person just dumped them outside in the rain and they were ruined. I called the company and they sent me another batch by return.
I like your take on the challenge too, and your pic for it :)
March 19th, 2013  
Great shot & you are just right.
March 19th, 2013  
@lfrans Thank you Liane!
@digitalrn Thank you Rick!
@dyswis Thank you Matthew!
@prttblues Thank you Bev! I would have done the same thing with the milk.
@ruthmouch Thank you Ruth!
@alia_801 Thank you Alia! I had been thinking about mixing something up in a bowl to illustrate the idea, but after the phone call, I realized that was the shot- and yes it went both ways. I'm very impressed with this company.
@la_photographic Thank you Laura!

Thank you to all! Each one of you has confirmed I did not only the right thing for myself but the RIGHT thing!
March 19th, 2013  
Good for you truth and honesty are properties i most value in life.great shot to
March 19th, 2013  
@steeler Thank you Howard! I appreciate that.
March 19th, 2013  
Great POV, focus, and DOF.
March 19th, 2013  
@anazad511 Thank you Ana!
March 19th, 2013  
great focus Ann and I like the pov.
March 19th, 2013  
@jesperani Thank you Jennifer!
March 19th, 2013  
Great pov and focus, Ann.
March 19th, 2013  
@sangwann Thank you Dione!
March 20th, 2013  
Well said and well captured.
March 20th, 2013  
What a cool, shot. Never thought of shooting my vitamins. Well, I'm inspired. So they came in a glass jar. :-) Great they replaced them without you having to shipping them back. Yes, very true indeed words! God always sees, when we think no one is looking. That's what matters most. :-)
March 20th, 2013  
@nadaa Thank you Nada!
@vposey Thank you Vickie! Yes, and that's the bottom line. What good would my witness be if my words lacked integrity in other areas of my life? I was surprised that they shipped them in an envelope and wrapped in bubble wrap. But one bottle made it and the other didn't so I guess it must work most of the time.
March 20th, 2013  
When we have lost our integrity, we have nothing. The pov on this is great!
March 20th, 2013  
I am trying to teach my girls the same thing Ann. Great shot to convey your feelings.
March 20th, 2013  
I admire your integrity, Ann... so important in today's way of living. What are the pills supposed to do?
March 20th, 2013  
I admire your attitude and integrity. Great story and wonderful shot. Good words as well.
March 20th, 2013  
@espyetta Thank you MaryBeth!

@nicolecampbell Thank you Nicole! I remember it being a hard concept for my boys to grasp at first. But I wouldn't back down on it and always made them follow through from what we believed to how we lived it out. As they got older, they understood it more and more. I believe you will reach that goal with your daughters as well. Keep up the good work Mom!!

@amyspada Thank you Amy. These capsules contain Moringa- it's an herbal supplement that helps control blood sugar levels and cravings which in turn helps you maintain a healthy weight and overall health. I've really been battling a number of issues with my weight since hitting the big 5-0 a few years ago. And I'm finally getting on track with some of it. I'd heard about this and a couple other products from a friend and was really looking forward to using it. My replacement bottle should be in the mail today. If you are interested you can find it at www.genesistoday.com.

@ididntdoit87 Thank you Hillary! I try!!
March 20th, 2013  
I couldn't agree more! Nice depth of field and pov in this shot.
March 20th, 2013  
@lisabell Thank you Lisa!
March 21st, 2013  
Good for you Ann. Integrity is something that seems to be very hard to find in this day and age
March 22nd, 2013  
@bkbinthecity True Brian- thanks for stopping by!
March 22nd, 2013  
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