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Self-reliance – A journey within- Live A Great Life Podcast by Dr Prem – Chapter. 23

Self-reliance – A journey within- Live A Great Life Podcast by Dr Prem – Chapter. 23


Here is a quote – It’s your road and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.

—Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī

Life is all about taking decisions, the precision or vagueness of which has an effect on the texture of our existence, our moral fabric and the rational side of our persona. Seldom should we hold others responsible for forcing their decisions on us; instead, we should develop some sort of resistance to bad decisions and voice our opinion every time we think that they don’t conform to our view of life. Rumi rightly advises us to find a road that makes us feel comfortable, confident, and happy about the path ahead.

No one can decide the road that inspires us to kick-start a journey better than the one embarking on the path. We may find others joining our journey, but we have to take the first step alone to reach our destination. Thus, self-reliance means looking within to find inspiration, a healthy dependence on the power of character, and a greater connection with our passions. The level of one’s self-reliance further provides a rough estimate of their happiness. As we become self-reliant, we are better able to serve and care for others.

At times, the person I look to for help in calming my nerves and taking me closer to my confident best is ‘me’. I do look to my friends, family and acquaintances to understand how they feel about their lives; however, seldom do I think of or try to interfere with where they are headed. I have always believed in doing what I need to do to make myself happy, without interfering with or caring too much about things others do. This particular sense of self-reliance provides me with the right direction and keeps me moving forward against all odds. In doing so, I have developed better clarity about my passions, goals, and destination, which has made my ascension to where I am now an enjoyable process.

Self-reliance has nothing to do with ‘radical egoistic anarchism’

In his 1841 essay ‘Self-Reliance’, Ralph Waldo Emerson related the concept of self-reliance to organized political action. At that time, his critics saw the very idea of self-reliance as something that could promote the sense of ‘radical egoistic anarchism’ among the masses, but Emerson never supported or advocated any such idea. Instead, self-reliance makes miracles happen for individuals and, hence, it’s entirely upon them to utilize their self-dependence in any which way they want to. Self-reliance should be one of the primary motives of all individuals, as it enables them to believe and take pride in their talents, autonomy and positive ideas that can make meaningful changes to them and the world as well.

Call for spiritual and temporal self-reliance

A study titled ‘The Limits of Self-Reliance: Emerson, Slavery, and Abolition’17, conducted by James H Read, the Professor of Political Science at the College of St Benedict/ St John’s University, Minnesota, quotes Emerson’s wisdom, ‘The power which resides in him is new in nature, and none but he knows what that is which he can do, nor does he know until he has tried.’ Craving spiritual and temporal self-reliance, we humans are always seeking inspiration, motivation, and strength from outside elements, which actually takes us away from our inner strengths and abilities. When we try to develop an understanding of things we can do and the powers we have, we will have several revelations about our real self.

Lean on the self for happiness

Instead of finding happiness around us, we should develop the habit of leaning within to find true happiness surrounded by positive emotions, thoughts, and ideas. Born of self-reliance, such happiness inspires individuals to achieve the best for themselves as well as for others. Abraham Lincoln, the former President of the United States, echoed the same thought when he said, ‘You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.’ So an individual who is happy from within is always more than willing to assume responsibility, stays informed about things within and around them, always knows what they are doing, and, hence, is capable of making their own decisions.

Emerson further says, ‘Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles.’ Self-reliance, thus, brings you peace, success, happiness, and victory in everything you do, since you are always aware of your capabilities and make calculated efforts to realize your objectives.

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