Self reliance used to be a requirement for success in the United States. People took pride in doing for themselves, knowing what they needed to know to make a go of things, and doing without than be taking charity. However, many people today substitute dependence on others for independence.
It is dangerous to lose the ability to take care of personal problems. Although getting aid from government programs or local charities is sometimes necessary, many use this easy way out far too quickly. In fact, many do not even understand the concept of taking control of their own destinies.
However, most people today rely on others much more than they do on themselves. They might earn money to pay for services they require, but that is the extent of their contribution. They depend on the city to provide them water and take away their sewage. They pay to have their oil changed, their car washed, and their tires rotated. They expect the grocery store to have all the food they need and want.
Others may not even earn their own money but live a life of total dependence. Sometimes this is unavoidable, but far too often it is merely a choice. Some people take pride in 'beating the system' - a concept that most Americans two hundred years ago would find reprehensible.
It is very nice to live with a person who knows how to make a manual pump, just in case you need to get water out of the well someday when the electricity is off. It is even nicer to know how to do this relatively simple project yourself. Tip: next time your kid needs a science fair project, teach him and yourself how to build a pump.
Who knows how to make a pump? Actually, many do. They are often fairly old by now, having been born when if something broke and they couldn't fix it, they did without. Sometimes there will be a local handyman who 'can fix anything.'
Actually such a person has learned to be self reliant. self reliance
It is dangerous to lose the ability to take care of personal problems. Although getting aid from government programs or local charities is sometimes necessary, many use this easy way out far too quickly. In fact, many do not even understand the concept of taking control of their own destinies.
However, most people today rely on others much more than they do on themselves. They might earn money to pay for services they require, but that is the extent of their contribution. They depend on the city to provide them water and take away their sewage. They pay to have their oil changed, their car washed, and their tires rotated. They expect the grocery store to have all the food they need and want.
Others may not even earn their own money but live a life of total dependence. Sometimes this is unavoidable, but far too often it is merely a choice. Some people take pride in 'beating the system' - a concept that most Americans two hundred years ago would find reprehensible.
It is very nice to live with a person who knows how to make a manual pump, just in case you need to get water out of the well someday when the electricity is off. It is even nicer to know how to do this relatively simple project yourself. Tip: next time your kid needs a science fair project, teach him and yourself how to build a pump.
Who knows how to make a pump? Actually, many do. They are often fairly old by now, having been born when if something broke and they couldn't fix it, they did without. Sometimes there will be a local handyman who 'can fix anything.'
Actually such a person has learned to be self reliant. self reliance
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