Self Reliance Is a Part of Optimism

  

Self-reliance literally means satisfying every want by oneself and not depending frequently for it. However, in the nature’s scheme of things, all livings and non-living are independent and sustain each other. Plants, animals, human beings cannot exist in isolation, they share life together. When an individual begins to take this dependence for guaranteed and ceases to make any efforts for himself, then he becomes like a parasite. Although we need other to live, so long as we are not self reliant, we have not started living properly. It is applicable to individuals as well as to nations.

 

Normally, an individual from the very beginning is taught to be self-reliant. A child is sent to school, then to college to prepare himself to face life. Today, parents want not only their sons but also daughters to be self-reliant. However, it is a pity that when we talk of self-reliance we normally refer to economic independence.

 

Self-reliance does not mean merely an ability to earn one’s living. It implies much more. A person cannot be called truly self reliant if he has learned to be not only self supporting but also to live right through a rigorous cultivation of spiritual and moral values to guide him in his life. Such a person thinks without fear and works with devotion. He develops confidence in his abilities, so essential for success in life. He develops power of independent thinking and taking decisions boldly. Such total self-reliance enhances his self-respect.

 

It is a pity that man has become so selfish. Unless man understands the true implication of the word self-reliance, there can be no moral and spiritual regeneration. It is a lesson that should be taught early in life while the young minds are being trained for a vocation. It is education about which can teach the impressionable young apprentice to learn to live and not merely to learn to earn a living.

 

Thus, a lesson in self-reliance can be begun early in the life so that no one grows up to be selfish, narrow-minded and live like a parasite on others. Such total self-reliance will bring about a dramatic change in the lives of man and help in promoting a spirit of mutual love, respect and faith. It helps users in an era, which Gandhiji had envisaged, where man will not feel degraded if asked to do menial work. On the other hand, he will take pride in being self-sufficient.