So much has been written on self-reliance, in both self-help books and by political writers. When Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote his essay back 1841, he did it from his perspective. Being in the church and leading from the pulpit, he stated that each one of us should listen and follow the God from within.  This created quite a stir, especially among the church elite.  He also lost his young wife in only 18 months of marriage.  He had to find it within himself to move forward.

Since he wrote his essay, so much of self-reliance has been translated into different viewpoints. Times are different and so are perspectives. What still holds true when Emerson wrote this essay is that each of us needs to find our own voice in the world and express it our way. Learn to do that. And then do it.

Beyond that, self-reliance is important as to having self-determination in one’s life.  You will never follow your path if you always follow another’s way.  You will never get to where your brilliance will take you if you rely too much on the aid of another. You will become broken if you decide that you won’t get up from your past difficulties.

The truest way to the path of self-reliance is to learn from falling down and then getting back up.  Develop resilience along the way. Once you learn how to do something, you’ll never have to relearn it.  That know-how will be there so that you may need it when the need is there.  This is one of the reasons those who are self-made in wealth will regain it back after losing it.  And those that are given their wealth will tend to blow it in a short period of time.

I’m not saying that you will never need the help of others.  On the contrary, collaboration and cooperation is important.  When like minds come together towards a common goal, they help to create even more self-reliance and wealth for all.  In this way, rely on the help of others.  Just don’t ask for handouts.  There is a difference.  Now, walk your path towards self-reliance.