Here’s a novel idea – being responsible creates freedom. It’s not a new idea, actually. It’s been around for a very long time. It seems that some people have lost touch with this. Our mainstream media suggests that if you follow your heart and do what you’re passionate about you’ll be successful. To an extent that’s true. However, what’s not shared is that success requires hard work.
So what does this idea mean? Well, it seems to me that one of the basic ways our society works is that if you show up to work on time and do what you’re told, you get a paycheck. If you use that money responsibly and pay for your rent, gas, insurance and food, you can live independently. If you do this consistently, you can earn more responsibility and higher pay (generally speaking).
Basically, if you do what you’re supposed to do, you earn the freedom to do what you want to do with your free time. You are free to drive the car you pay for, watch whatever show you want on the computer or t.v. you’ve paid for, and talk on the cell phone you paid for.
If you fail to take care of your responsibilities, your boss will fire you, your cell phone will be turned off, your car with be repossessed and your landlord will evict you (or the bank will foreclose on your house).
This idea of responsibility equals freedom also applies to relationships. If you take care of your responsibilities in a relationship – be honest, do what you say you’re going to do, be trustworthy, etc., the other person trusts you. If you’re trusted, you have freedom.
What does this freedom look like? It’s freedom from worry about being caught in a lie, freedom from worry about losing your job, freedom from worry about debt collectors, about losing your car or house, etc. So if you’d like to have greater freedom in your life, try working harder to be a person of integrity.
This article is not meant to provide clinical, therapeutic or legal advice. This is not a substitute for professional therapeutic help. If you’re in need of professional help, please contact a professional. This is offered as educational information only.