Self-Reliance

“What I must do, is all that concerns me, not what other people think.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Other people’s opinions shouldn’t be the basis of our decisions.” – Paraphrase of above quote

I interpreted this quote in three similar yet different approaches, two that I can relate to, and one that I haven’t experienced: You should never be forced to do something you should not do, you should not be afraid to do what you want to do even though someone may say something, and you must focus on what you have to do and not care about what other people say.
To not sound ironic, I’ll speak in the first person. I should never be forced to do something I should not do. I should not be swayed into playing basketball even though my knee is still healing. It’s a common concept found in everyday life and those who master this concept make their own decisions based on what they believe is right. I have trouble mastering this idea because I’m still young and willing to take risks. If I don’t play basketball, then I let down my friends, and since I hate that, I’m forced to succumb. This is not a strong example of this point but take into consideration those who are persecuted for their religious beliefs. Those who renounce their religion do not live by this concept, but those who do, die never having been forced to do anything. They are true masters of self-reliance.
It is true that society has influenced our everyday decisions. When we put something on, we ask ourselves, “Will people like what I wear?” and when people you don’t normally talk to have taken a spot where you like to sit, you tend to find somewhere else to sit. It is hard not to abide by society’s “will” so you don’t look foolish. Emerson says that we do should not be concerned about what other people might think of you. So, when you ask yourself what to wear, you simply choose what you like and not care what other people say and when someone has taken your usual “spot”, you should sit there and not be afraid of what people may say. Again, these are not strong examples but take into consideration those who are never able to speak out because they’re afraid of what people may say. Only those who break out of their shells truly know self-reliance.
You must focus on what you have to do, and not care what other people say about it. If someone says it’s immoral, but you have to do it in order to protect your family for example, do not care about what they think. This is a similar point that Garcia Marquez made in his story “Siesta del Martes” where the suffering mother had told her son to never steal unless necessary. The son does steal and carries out his duties as the man of the family.
In conclusion, Emerson’s quote about self-reliance conveys the idea that we should do what we feel is right, not what society says is right. True masters of this concept live a stronger life hardly based on society’s thoughts and beliefs.