Living with Integrity: Moving from Pain to Power

Life classes give us an opportunity to reflect and connect to our inner selves. In this session, we explored the idea of integrity.For me, integrity means being true to myself, my work, and my family. I understood that fear, white lies, or avoiding responsibility can weaken it, while courage and honesty make it stronger.

The activities made the session lively: a nature walk to connect with ourselves, 2 truths and a lie to know each other better, and Kung Fu Panda clips that showed fear will always be there, but believing in ourselves reduces its power.

What stood out for me most is this: integrity is not about being perfect. It’s about moving from pain to power—facing my fears, learning from mistakes, letting go of the past, and living true to my values every single day.

What stayed with me most is this: integrity is not about being perfect. It’s about learning from mistakes, letting go of the past, and living true to our values every single day.

Integrity and EI Life Class 25-26

Our recent life class on Integrity focused on being truthful with ourselves and others, and on taking responsibility for our actions. We also discussed certain life truths around facing fears and accepting reality.
While the themes were valuable, the way the class unfolded left room for deeper impact. At times, the session felt a bit dragged, and the conversations remained more at a surface level than going into real depth. The activities and discussions touched on the ideas but could have been designed in a way that encouraged more active participation, meaningful sharing, and stronger connections to real-life situations. With more engaging strategies and deeper exploration, the class might have provided richer insights and a more lasting impression.
Overall, the session introduced important concepts but fell short of being truly impactful. A more interactive, reflective, and in-depth approach would make such classes more effective and enriching for everyone involved.

Integrity and EI

I learned the value of being more accepting—of others, of situations, and most importantly, of myself. I realized that real growth begins with the willingness to change, and that kind of change requires courage. It wasn’t always easy, but choosing to let go of judgment and approach people with empathy helped me grow into a more grounded and understanding person. I became more confident and learned to manage my emotions in a healthier, more positive way.

Integrity&Fear

  • The integrity life class was truly enlightening and thought-provoking,which also included fears such as fear from loosing our loved ones to failure ,judgement and also helping us see honesty in a deeper way.It felt insightful and heart-warming, as we explored how integrity shapes our character.The class was engaging and inspiring, filled with meaningful discussions and relatable examples.It created a supportive and understanding environment where everyone felt safe to share.The session was impactful and empowering, reminding us that integrity is the foundation of trust and respect.Overall, it was a brilliant and memorable experience that will guide us in our daily choices.

Is “overwhelmed” an encompassing term?

When I pose the question of the term being an “encompassing” term, I mean to ask does it cover everything you feel? Does it support your feelings that can’t be contained using just one emotion? Is “overwhelmed” too generic of a feeling and doesn’t let you separate your feelings from what others feel? You can choose to wonder about this the way you would like.

As for me (and a little more relevant to this life class!).. I will speak of the emotion: Fear.

Me thinks “fear” is a topic that not everyone is ready to talk about. Fear of doing something new, of various phobias, of unexpected outcomes, of failures or of someone dying..

Should one be ready to talk about it right now? No. 

Will one ever be ready to discuss it? Who knows. 

We have great tools to mask our fears. Some of these tools are humour, rationalisation, self blame and.. a few more that you could think of. 

Do they help us sail through life? Yeah.

Will it help one in their relationship? Who knows. 

Currently, my reflections betray me. My mind acknowledges fear but also doesn’t want to engage further. 

It is avoidance? Maybe

My Insights on Day 3/4

“I tell my students, ‘When you get these jobs that you have been so brilliantly trained for, just remember that your real job is that if you are free, you need to free somebody else. If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else. This is not just a grab-bag candy game.’”
— Toni Morrison

This quote beautifully captures my definition of integrity. Recently, in one of my life classes, we were asked to share a quote that we would advocate for if someone asked us what we stood by. Without hesitation, I chose this one.

The theme of this year’s life class is one that cannot be fully explained through words, it is meant to be lived and practiced rather than preached. Real change, after all, is internal. This makes the journey both profound and, at times, challenging. There were moments when the class felt like a bit of a drag, not because it lacked value, but because the nature of the theme requires deep reflection rather than instant answers.

And yet, within these quiet stretches, I’ve experienced moments of genuine insight and even epiphany.

A big shoutout to our facilitators for holding space with patience and for doing their best to keep the life class truly “lively.” It’s not an easy task when the subject itself calls for more silence and inner work than outward expression.

Fear & Integrity

This life class gave us an opportunity to pause and reflect on two powerful themes: fear and integrity. We began by exploring the different kinds of fears we carry—fear of failure, judgement, or losing our loved ones. It was reassuring to realise that such feelings are universal, and voicing them in a safe space makes them feel lighter.

Our discussion on integrity highlighted that it is about aligning our actions with our values, even when it feels uncomfortable or risky. We also reflected on strategies to overcome fear and on how we can transform our pain into power. Fear will always challenge us, but integrity gives us the strength to choose what is right over what is easy.

One quote that beautifully captured the essence of the session was: “Fear tests us, integrity defines us.”

The session was both grounding and inspiring. It reminded us that integrity is not about being fearless, but about having the courage to act with honesty and purpose in spite of fear.

Life Class – Integrity & EI

My life class on integrity and the five truths of life was truly enlightening and impactful. It helped me reflect deeply on the importance of being honest with myself and others, even in challenging situations. I realized that integrity builds trust and respect, which are the foundations of strong relationships. The five truths of life gave me clarity on how to accept reality, embrace change, and stay grounded. This class encouraged me to make mindful choices that align with my values. Overall, it was a meaningful experience that will guide me in my personal and professional journey.


Integrity – The Strength Within.

In this session, we explored the meaning of integrity — being true to yourself and honoring your word. A person of integrity lives their values, not just speaks them.

We also spoke about fears and how they connect with integrity. Fear often holds us back from being our true selves, but the only way through it is to face it and step forward with courage.

The thought that stayed with me was: “Change is the only constant.” Change is unpredictable, but by maintaining integrity, you can navigate it with confidence and authenticity.

Reflection- Integrity sessions

The session helped me understand how fears can silently hold us back from reaching our true potential. I learned that acknowledging fear is the first step toward growth, and that pain, when embraced with courage, can be converted into power. Taking responsibility for our choices and actions not only strengthens character but also opens the path to self-discovery and resilience.

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