There's No Substitute For Honesty

I Just finished reading an article about the tens of millions of dollars worth of cash and other valuables that were returned to their rightful owners in Japan in the months since the massive earthquake rocked the country earlier this year.  It made me think.  This speaks volumes about the character of the Japanese.  Not only are they and traditionally have been great savers but they are willing to be honest in such a desperate situation.  Honesty is one of those things that most people don't think about on a daily basis.  But it's a quality that makes up the moral backbone of any successful society.  Without it we'd be far more greedy, selfish, and slothful than we already are.  The world would be down right scary if there was no honesty.  But think how wonderful it would be if there was more of it.  I firmly believe it would go a long way in solving much of societies woes.

So what does this have to with money?  Well, everything!  Do you put in an honest day's work for the money you get paid?  Do you pay your taxes honestly?  Are you honest with yourself and others in what you can really afford?  Or are you living a lie that's beginning to crush you?  When it comes to honesty there really isn't another substitute.  If you lack integrity in any of these areas, you will have trouble with your money.  This is mainly because money problems are always a symptom of other problems in your life.  At the heart of most money problems is an integrity issue.  Whether with yourself or others.  Integrity stretches far beyond the bounds of finance.  A lack of it will affect every other aspect of your life.  So be honest with not only yourself but others.  Your life and the world around you will be all the better for it.