Friday, June 18, 2010

Thoughts On Self Reliance...!


I found this essay on self reliance that I wanted to share.

It is a very timely piece, and certainly more fitting today than anything that my poor talents could put forth! Not only that, but it makes a very good read...and should be revisited often!

American Self-Reliance

by J. Ollie Edmunds

This country was not built by men who relied on somebody else to take care of them. It was built by men who relied on themselves, who dared to shape their own lives, who had enough courage to blaze new trails with enough confidence in themselves to take the necessary risks.

This self-reliance is our American legacy. It is the secret of that something which stamped Americans as Americans. Some call it individual initiative, others backbone. But whatever it is called, it is a precious ingredient in our national character, one which we must not lose.

The time has come for us to re-establish the rights for which we stand, to re-assert our inalienable rights to human dignity, self-respect, self-reliance—to be again the kind of people who once made America great.

Such a crusade for renewed independence will require a succession of inspired leaders, leaders in spirit and in knowledge of the problem, not just men with political power, but men who are militantly for the distinctive way of life that was America. We are likely to find such leaders only among those that promote self-reliance and who practice it with strict devotion and understanding.

This short essay just about sums it up, don't you think?

Now, my friends, coffee on the patio seems called for! Fresh coffee and good discussion with true friends...what could be better?

11 comments:

Momlady said...

Oh, that we could find such leaders. Sigh....

Ben in Texas said...

Ain't it the truth!! Where is another Patton for Army command of the army,or Truman or Ike , for president or Kennedy!! ( remember the Russian missile crises in Cuba?)
IMHO we have become a nation of ME (citizens) demand that the government owes us a living and housing and health care and we don't have to do anything to get this stuff.
What happen to ,,"pull up your boot straps and get to work? "
My wise ole Aunt used to say,, "wish in one hand and poop in the other , see which one fills up first!!

HermitJim said...

Hey Momlady...
It would be a pleasure just to find a couple that would at least be truthful, for a change! Guess we are out of luck!

Hope your back is better, and you are having a good day!

Thank you for stopping by today!


Hey Ben...
Boy, that would be a pleasant change of pace, wouldn't it? I guess that all the heroes are gone!

Guess we won't see any more like them for a long time, if ever!

Hey, thanks for coming by today, buddy!

Mechanic in Illinois said...

Sounds like you're describing what a patroit is. Like the ones that will defend and save this country. Thanks for another great lesson.

HermitJim said...

Hey Mechanic...
Does sound a lot like a patriot, doesn't it?

Maybe it's finally time to tke responsibility for our own future, and stop waiting for someone else to provide it for us!

Thanks for coming by today!

Bob Mc said...

Those kind are in short supply these days. What happened to the kind of men and women who settled this country in the first place? Those that were willing to give up a life they had known and travel across country in an ox or horse drawn wagon, a journey of several months, to start a new life in an untamed land. Could those kind of people be found today? Most are willing to let Big Daddy take care of them.

HermitJim said...

Hey Bob...
sad but true, my friend! Sad but true!

A good ol' dose of piomeer spirit would be a welcome change from what we have now!

Thank goodness so many of our friends are of a kind to do for themselves, ya know?

Maybe some of that spirit will get passed down to the next genertion...at least, I hope so!

Thanks for comig by today, my friend!

Ben in Texas said...

Boy JIM, you stirred up some good ole Patriotic real people today!! Well done!! Glad to know you and I aren't the only ones left.

HermitJim said...

Hey Ben...
Appears that there are more of us out there than the PTB want to admit! Might be a good thing for the politicians to pay attention to!

You can only push folks so far, before they start pushing back!

He, buddy...thanks for coming by today!

Unknown said...

The first hint of the philosophy that would become Self-Reliance was presented by Emerson as part of a sermon in September 1830 Emerson urges his readers to retain the outspokenness of a small child who freely speaks his mind because he has not yet been corrupted by adults who tell him to do otherwise. He also urges readers to avoid envying or imitating others viewed as models of perfection; instead, he says, readers should take pride in their own individuality and never be afraid to express their own original ideas. In addition, he says, they should refuse to conform to the ways of the popular culture and its shallow ideals; rather they should live up to their own ideals, even if doing so reaps them criticism and denunciation.I agree with Emerson on this ,be your own person an use your own God given talents to think for yourselfs.

HermitJim said...

Hey Ted...
I have to agree with Emerson. It's important in life to keep our own counsel. At least, that's what I believe.

In the end, it will be our own talents and resourcefulness that gets us through whatever happens!

Thanks for coming by today!