“It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.”  – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Merriam-Webster defines self-reliance as reliance on one’s own efforts and abilities.

When I hear “self-reliance I think of the early pioneers and the hardships they had to endure.  They were pretty much able to take care of themselves.  They raised and hunted their own food, played doctor, teacher and were carpenters.  They had to be that way in order to survive.

In today’s world self- reliance seems to have left the building.    Sad part is that children of today aren’t being given a chance to be self-reliant.  The parents  just don’t want to take the time out of their busy schedule to teach them.   Grandparents have it in their minds that they  have to do everything for them, be their best friend and by all means don’t hurt their feelings.  Both sides argue that the child isn’t responsible enough but at the same time they aren’t teaching the child responsibility.  All of this is done with good intentions however, the child is the one who is losing and will have no ideal how to do things for themselves.  They grow up expecting people to do everything for them and .  When I look into my crystal ball I don’t see a very good future for them.

Then we have the government using public assistance to enslave John Q Public.  Why?  They don’t want us to even entertain the idea of self-reliance.  Keep us from attaining it and we hand them the control that gives them the upper hand if they need it.  Ok, settle down.  Quit laughing so hard.  Maybe I am getting senile but it is happening more and more as folks lose their jobs.  Public Assistance, the New Form of Self-Reliance! by your Congressional Representatives.

 

“Over the years, Americans in particular have been all too willing to squander their hard-earned independence and freedom for the illusion of feeling safe under someone else’s authority.  The concept of self-sufficiency has been undermined in value over a scant few generations.  The vast majority of the population seems to look down their noses upon self-reliance as some quaint dusty relic, entertained only by the hyperparanoid or those hopelessly incapable of fitting into mainstream society.” – Cody Lundin

I don’t think folks put enough emphasis on self-reliance.  Anyone who lived during the “Great Depression” can tell you how important it is.  Nobody seems to understand it can happen again and seem to be  complacent with the government taking care of them.  My way of thinking is I would rather be in control of my outcome in that situation and trust no one else with my surviving.  Just look how they take care of our veterans.  Still feel warm and fuzzy inside thinking of them taking care of you when the SHTF?

Self-reliance also involves one thinking for themselves and not letting anyone else or the government tell you how to think.  It also necessitates for one to be prepared for whatever comes at them.

“Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.  Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.” – Abraham Lincoln (Parents and grandparents should have this one taped to their mirror so they read it every morning before they start their day.  Just saying, if the child is capable of doing it then why are you?)

“If you truly want to be respected by people you love, you must prove to them that you can survive without them.” – Michael Bassey Johnson

Once again, thank you for taking the time to read my blog.  It means a lot to me and you and your time are deeply appreciated.  I take this time to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving and good times with family.  As you go through the holidays don’t forget to spread the love.