Opinion

Dear Readers,

Dear Amy: My husband and I bought a house seven years ago. It has a finished basement. The basement has a bathroom, a bedroom, and a den in it.

What has become of integrity? Have you noticed it has become more difficult to observe within our daily lives and well, when witnessed in politics, it’s like a unicorn sighting. Maybe it is something you have to value in order to realize it is missing or to recognize when you see it. Like many, I was raised to believe that integrity is the gold standard in achievement as a human being. I was taught that it doesn’t matter if people can or cannot witness our actions, it is important to do the right thing regardless. There’s an emotion I can only describe as a deep disappointment, almost a heavy physical feeling in my core, when I witness someone betraying their integrity. It’s as if I’ve observed someone selling a piece of their soul. It doesn’t matter the reason, whether it’s for money, greed, convenience, friendship or a favor owed. I know in the rational part of my brain that we humans are not perfect, and occasions will arise where people will disappoint, but dadgum, it hits hard when I am an eyewitness to it or worse when I feel I have fallen short of my expectations for myself. And sometimes it’s the little things that we give in on that hit the hardest; the justifications and rationalizations we tell ourselves to try to make it right within us. Integrity doesn’t exist on a sliding scale; either people possess it, or they do not.

Dear Readers,

Dear Amy: Two years ago, my friend “Kim” admitted that she has cut alcohol out of her life after her brother died due to his alcoholism.

Dear Amy: My wife and her sister “Bobbi” have stopped speaking to each other over a disagreement that has now lasted for more than two years.

Comedian Rodney Dangerfield used to tell a joke that went, “My psychiatrist told me I was crazy, and I said I want a second opinion”. He said, “Okay, you're ugly too.” Everyone has opinions. Some people take more stock in their own opinions than others do. The fact is not all opinions are of equal value. Call it being “old school” or having common sense, but I’d rather trust the opinion of someone knowledgeable in their field than someone who doesn’t know his or her behind from a beehive. Stating something as fact with vigor and authority doesn’t carry the same weight as someone with knowledge and expertise in their field stating their opinion quietly.

Dear Readers,

By Amy Dickinson Tribune Content Agency Dear Readers: I appreciate it when people give me “updates” on previously published advice. This update follows the Q&A,… Login to continue reading Login…

Dear Readers, It can be such a lovely time of year from mid-May through early June when we have (as we’ve had this year) a… Login to continue reading Login…