Free Thought

"Without freedom of thought, there can be no such thing as wisdom; and no such thing as public liberty, without freedom of speech."

-Benjamin Franklin

Free thought is the ability to consider a fact or opinion without the influence of others. It is impossible to know what another person is thinking. We all have certain unalienable rights that can not be taken away for any reason, and freedom of thought is one of them.

Importance of Nature

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
-Albert Einstein 



According to a major influence in Transcendentalism, Ralph Waldo Emerson, humans do not fully accept nature’s beauty and all that it has to offer. People are easily distracted by the world around them, by such things as technology. Nature can be an escape, a place to get away. It is also a way to stay in touch with your spirituality, and give you a better understanding of who you are as a person.

Nonconformity

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.  - Dr. Seuss

Do what you want, and not what other people tell you to do. Once you start letting other people dictate how you live your life, you lose your individuality and your rights to your own opinions. Be your own person.

Confidence

Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.
-Norman Vincent Peale 



Goals and dreams can only be accomplished with confidence. Confidence is believing in yourself and your abilities. Though confidence is a good personality trait to possess, it is also important to be humble and not overly confident.

Self-Reliance

“I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself.” 
― Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre



Self-reliance is about individuality. To rely on one's self is a difficult task to accomplish. People may not always be there for you to essentially lean on, whether that be family, friends, or colleagues. Even though these people may come and go from your life, you will always have yourself to depend on. The quote from Jane Eyre says that the less you rely on other people, the more you will respect yourself.