Freedom

Ellen DeGeneres once said, “For me, the most important thing in your life is to live your life with integrity and not to give into peer pressure, to try to be something that you’re not. To live your life as an honest and compassionate person. To contribute in some way.”

This is a great definition of freedom. Living your life true to yourself, to your higher purpose, with integrity and compassion. Sometimes this can mean passing on an opportunity that, in the short run, looks as if it will provide more income, maybe more fame, playing in a bigger pond. Doing so may look good on your resume and be something to brag about, but at what cost?

The cost is that feeling of fulfillment, the doing the ‘right’ thing – you know, the feeling in your gut when you don’t sell out; when you hold true to your terms, standards, purpose, to your integrity. This gives you freedom in life and in work. It gives you the chance to be fulfilled with no ifs, ands, or buts. It provides opportunities to come that you may not see coming, some that will be better than those you would sell out for. Freedom is the most precious gift, do what you can to cultivate it.