Integrity Extended Analogy

My life is like a house.

Structure

Before there is a house, there is its framework. This skeleton gives a house shape, and is the

frame for outer coverings. In all, the structure of a house comes from its frame. When you look at a house,

you don’t see this framework, or what it was built upon. On the outside, you may see a seventeen year old

girl coming closer to graduating high school each day, who participates in her school's cheer team and has

lots of friends, however you don’t see what that girl was built upon. My background, trauma, losses,

loves, hardships, achievements, all of the things that my life and I have been impacted by, has created this

skeleton of who I am. My frame defines my path, future actions, and mindset, just as it defines a home.

Style

A house has a specific color, and a specific design that creates its uniqueness. My coloring

includes patches of empathy, toughness, nature to question, optimism, and determination. From afar, a

house may look identical to the one next to it, however, when you really look you can see the chipped

paint by the door frame, discoloration on the side, and exposed wood on the back. Therefore, although

others may exemplify the same traits as I do, we have each been constructed differently, in a way that

characterizes us in our unique way. I never back down; I constantly question; I see the beauty in

everything; I admire all that surrounds me. These little characteristics bring style to my life and separates

me from my peers, but not only that. What really separates me from my peers is not what I do, but why I

do it. Whether the paint is chipped from old age, or from the end of a broom that hit the wall while

playing during our childhood, those are the stories that leave us unique.

Cohesion

The roof of a house brings every part together. Each wall touches that same roof, and it leaves the

house whole. The roof that brings wholeness to my life consists mainly of the people that add love and

happiness to my being, and nature. During times of struggle, these loved ones have been there and aided
in proving that without these bad times, there would be no such thing as a good time. Everything from

good, to bad, to ugly, and beautiful connects, and I think that connection not only comes from these

friends and family, but nature itself. I admire the nature around me, and this leaves me connected with our

world and life itself. Nature reminds me that I am not just me, but I am part of a bigger wholeness that is

life. Just as a roof overlooks, connects, and completes a home, those I keep close and nature make my life

complete and whole.

Strength

The walls of a house protect the house, as they are definite, and strong. In my life, these walls

protect me from burdens and stressors that could tear me apart. I have a set of values and morals that I

have put walls around, because if I allowed for interference, I would lose my own strength. These walls

can be utilized for boundaries, so others can’t push me around, or change who I know myself to be. I

know who I am, and what is necessary for my path, and through these walls I can ensure that no one has

the ability to change that but myself. The formation and construction of the walls aligns perfectly to make

me the strongest I can be.

Durability

The foundation of a house supports, and ensures that the house will be everlasting. Without the

foundation, there would be no house, as it would just sink into the ground and damage the home. A basis

upon which everything else is built; a foundation. Part of the foundation of my life is my childhood, and

who I was at that time; curious, innocent, sensitive. Although I have gone through plenty of change while

adapting to my surroundings and learning more about the world, at my core is that young girl who keeps

me who I am today. Without this foundation I would feel loss, almost as if I didn’t know who I was or

where I stood. My foundation consists of my background, past experiences, trauma, and everything within

that. Without this foundation the house would crumble, and I would not still be standing.

Direction

The doors of a house are both a welcome sign and exit sign. The doors act as direction, letting

people in and out, and bringing an empowerment that moves my plan forward. My doors welcome in
positivity, and lead out negativity, because I know what is in my life to hinder my plan, and what is there

to support it. What I allow into my life, and into my path serves as a source to make my plan my reality.

These doors lead to new opportunities, new beginnings, and experiences that will aid in directing me to

where I am meant to be.