Allow me to take you back in time and reflect on my own ethics journey.
July 1 is a significant day to remember and never forget. Five years ago in a northern California district court room, I was sentenced to 366 days in a federal prison for committing mail/wire fraud and money laundering.
My life and that of my family’s was forever changed.
Seven years previous to that as a former corporate executive, I oversaw a scheme to illegally acquire parts from a large information technology company that my company was not entitled to receive.
My journey has been a steep and rugged path; a quest to rebuild an ethics foundation with a moral compass that could stand the test of each day and the dilemmas we all must face.
Like all flawed humans, I too have uncertainties and doubts. Some days the ethics foundation I rebuilt feels wobbly, shrouded with fear, and anxiety rules.
There is only one remedy to stop these feelings from controlling me.
I take a deep breath, close my eyes, and attempt to seek God through prayer and quiet time.
Like an alcoholic who is on the 12 Step Program, I too cannot take a day off without visiting my ethics foundation and consulting my moral compass.
Prayer is an essential part of my ethics and moral compass.
Does anyone seriously think you can tackle the problems and challenges of life alone?
It is so easy to let our imaginations and fears run ahead of what we have to do each day. I encourage you to slow the pace down.
Close your eyes and think good thoughts that are meaningful.
Focus on the task at hand and ask for help.
Prayer is a wonderful way to relax and find peace of mind by connecting with God.
If you stumble while consulting your ethics foundation and cannot pray at a certain time, reach out to a family member, wing man, or wing woman.
This is not a time to build a pillar of pride, but a time to find grace and humility.
I want all of you to know that the Federal judge who rendered my sentence had plenty of convictions and faith that I would accept responsibility and be accountable moving forward. A wager was placed on me to change.
He was fair and left me with pearls of wisdom that I won’t forget for the rest of my days.
Our ethics foundations and moral compasses are the navigational tools required to handle our journeys.
Faith and prayer is the glue that keeps it intact.
Do your best every day and be thankful for what you have.
Many have far less.
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