Photo and blog by Sharman Dow
The character quality of being loyal is something that has been greatly impacted by our culture today – and unfortunately in a negative way. It seems so much of what we hear, read or watch confirms there is someone who has been betrayed, deceived, exposed or misled. Today, loyalty is a lost character quality that so few possess.
Being loyal is being faithful to an ideal, obligation or commitment. It’s being supportive of a person, government, cause or duty and staying true to your word. It’s keeping on line and focused to the commitment you have made or the circumstances in which you find yourself. Having loyalty is embracing moral strength, self-discipline and fortitude. The act of being loyal may cause you to be sacrificial with your time, commitment or finances, but the blessing it brings is immense.
When you possess the character quality of loyalty, you will create success in your personal and business life. Sometimes it may cost you, but in the end it will make your life exude a character quality that shines in God’s eyes. After all, He is the essence of loyalty, because His character never waivers or changes and this is what He seeks in us.
In business, loyalty means being committed to your
company, manager and co-workers. Loyalty to your company means you speak highly of it, even though in your thoughts you might want to trash it. It’s being supportive of their directives, unless those directives violate your conscience or moral values.
By being loyal to your manager means you provide him or her support and follow their directions. It’s giving all projects your best effort and knowledge, with an enthusiastic performance. Always keep in mind – you are serving a higher cause that will benefit your business future.
Being loyal to your co-workers is not gossiping about them on your way to the break room. It means being ready with a helping hand to promote their best interests.
It’s important to remember to keep your loyalty with “balance,” which means your loyalty toward someone or a cause should never violate your conscience or moral behavior. In other words, blind loyalty to a person or ideal without a sense of moral measurement is plain stupid. Many people have fallen because their good judgment went out the door when it came to their personal devotion toward a person or ideal that was corrupt.
The loyalty I am talking about is devoting yourself to a higher standard of how you treat people and stand by them when the chips are down. We all have a lot of friends, but our true friends will stand by us when circumstances become dire or others ridicule us. This is when you know who your true friends are, and also who you are as a friend to someone who goes through the same. Loyalty in friendship is an expression of faithfulness and love toward others.
It is natural for each of us to want to trash and hear the latest gossip about another, but a loyal and true friend stands up for us or walks away, instead of joining in on the juicy tidbit of information. Our flesh craves negative information, but by possessing the character quality of loyalty will determine what you will do with that information.
In nature, there are many instances of loyalty shown where the parent of an offspring will die to shield their young from harm. The mother bear will kill to protect her young cubs, and the Canadian Goose will mate for life – never to mate again should one die. The faithfulness of animals toward their mate, offspring or clan is a remarkable teaching that we all can learn from for our own lives.
Develop the ability to possess the character quality of loyalty and you will empower yourself for success in all aspects of your life.
Sharman Dow is the founder of the Empower Women’s Conference, coming October 22nd to Orange County. Register today!
