Self-Reliance, Anyone? [Short Essay]

I am, and have always been, a nonconformist. I have always had similar thoughts to Emerson’s, even if I haven’t been able to put them into as complex of thoughts as Emerson was able to do. So when I read through Emerson’s essay on Self-Reliance I was baffled at how perfectly he accentuated my very own thoughts and how wonderfully Emerson introduced new ideas to me that I had either had brewing within me, unbeknownst to me up until then, or thoughts that just made sense to me.1

I was, before reading “Self-Reliance”, independent, but now I know how to carry my genius which I didn’t know I had by any definition, until reading this quote: “To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you is true for all men–– that is genius. Speak your latent conviction, and it shall be the universal sense; for the inmost in due time becomes the outmost.” I know now how to carry my genius to new levels to help myself, much like Ken Macrorie’s belief about the I-Search paper, about a topic choosing me, that is how my genius is.2

On top of knowing my own genius, I can also more easily recognize the genius of others and become more open-minded to their opinions, knowing that we all have the capability to be divine. We do all come from the same source and thus have a source of divinity within us, the Holy Spirit, but not Jesus Christ, whom I believe is the other third of the equation needed to have God the Father dwelling in us. This helps me a great deal knowing this, because it strengthens my religious convictions and even helps me better advocate them along with my own personal philosophy on the matters, no matter how many questions remain. There will always be questions until the end of all time about God and Life, the Universe, and Everything, (hence why, in a way, science is useless, another belief of mine made more clear by old Ralph,) but at least that is one more question I needn’t ask anymore about the Holy Trinity.3

In re-discovering Self-Reliance, I have learned many other things as well. Such as being consistent, and following “rules”. I should not rely on what I said in the past or try to “keep up” to my past ghosts, because but there’s nothing to keep up with, it’s all behind me.  That’s all they are, too, is ghosts. Who we are and how we think, if we are strong in how we think it, that does not change, but the point of view which we take very well may, depending on the circumstances and what the truth is at the present.4

I refer to the Star Wars movies, now. Anakin Skywalker dedicated his life to the devotion of the so-called Republic. But the Republic changed into something evil and Anakin, a protector of good, was blinded because of his consistence. He turned into something that even he hated because he tried too desperately to believe in something that he truly didn’t believe in. (See the end of Return of the Jedi.)5

The most important thing is to be honest with yourself, not with others. Forget everyone else, embrace the ways of non-conformity (but do not conform to it) and be consistent only with yourself.  At least that is the attitude I have adopted.6

That is why we should also not be afraid to say what is on our minds. Although there is a time and a place for everything, I must concede. . . If you are an avid hip-hop fan and find yourself in the midst of a gang of bikers, don’t go singing “Hit Me Baby, One More Time”, because then you will literally be asking for it, and get mauled. Unless, of course, you are willing to be a martyr for Britney Spears. If it doesn’t get you killed, if you are just afraid of hurting someone’s feelings, don’t be.  According to the doctrine of Self-Reliance, and indeed the Gospel of St. Luke, I believe, you must embrace the doctrine of hatred over the doctrine of love when your genius, which should be the truth, calls you.7

For instance, I was at band practice the other day and my bassist played a note that stuck out like a sore thumb, and he actually thought it was good. If I think I can blow my nose and create better music, I’m going to say so. Brutal honesty is definitely more constructive than candy-coating everything. Those are my thoughts, beliefs, and actions (excluding my ideas about tradition) on Self-Reliance, anyway. You don’t have to agree, and I don’t even expect you to, because, after all, I’m a nonconformist genius.8