A SOUL UNDER SELF-RELIANCE

“To influence a person is to give him one’s own soul. He does not think his natural thoughts, or burn with his natural passions. His virtues are not real to him. He becomes an echo of someone else’s music, an actor of a part that has not been written for him. The aim of life is self-development. To realise one’s nature perfectly—that is what each of us is here for.”

• Oscar Wilde | The Picture of Dorian Gray

As individuals forming our own opinions, proposing fresh ideas, and dwelling on doubts we’ve developed ourselves into thinking, it can pose a difficult task to remain true to this intense quasi we have plated onto ourselves. And so, naturally, the spotlight of compliance in which we place ourselves shines bright. We become lost in the crowd of individuals who think, speak, and act alike, like a glorified flock of sheep. This greater social matrix, within which all these individuals are situated, hinders individual thought and creativity.

Enter the idea of self-reliancy.

Self-reliance is a quality of character and life itself rather than a badge or a quick fix. It doesn't rationalise the act of moral superiority over others, the right to shrug off inequity or to predominate others. Self-reliancy becomes a critical function that we envy in the prison of dependency, where we endure the crime of falling under the influence of the pressure of conformity. Although the idea may seem as a warrant for isolating yourself in a sea of other people, it may promote the ability to listen to yourself in the same crowd.

However, the reality of most people's lives may prevent giving such esoteric, selfish objectives top priority; we learn this through the colossal collective of mutual reverence. There can’t be a collective modification to several individuals' psyche to prioritise non-conformity above all. This concealed moratorium of non-conformity prevents us from bringing clarity and focus to the ideas that emerge from individuals.

Society is a wave. It’s influence coming and going. The only thing that remains is yourself.

Aashi Taori

10E