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What is the most important lesson we can learn about individualism from Emerson’s “Self-Reliance”? The most important lesson we can learn about individualism from Emerson is to keep the ability to follow your own path rather than follow others. For example, Emerson says: "It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude." This shows that great people stay in their own path even when the crowd is doing something different. This maintains their individuality.

What is the most important lesson we can learn about nature from Emerson’s “Self-Reliance”? We can learn from Emerson that nature is equal in ruling to all people and teaches them authenticity. It never is biased to anyone no matter who they are and always gives off beauty. "What pretty oracles nature yields us on this text, in the face and behavior of children, babes, and even brutes!". Emerson is showing how everyone can get wisdom from nature no matter who they are. When viewing the nature beauty of these oracles one can gain insight to authenticity and who they are as a person.

What is the most important lesson we can learn about passive resistance of institutions from Emerson’s “Self-Reliance”? We can learn the lessons of non-conformity to modern institutions. Nowadays big institutions want to indoctrinate us into doing what they want us to do rather than what we want. This is a big issue and the only way we can battle it is by showing nonconformity like Emerson says. "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines. With consistency a great soul has simply nothing to do. He may as well concern himself with his shadow on the wall." Emerson is showing his destain for being that are always show conformity and never destain authority figures. He is urging us to question authority and fight against those who want us to blindly follow them.

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"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines. With consistency a great soul has simply nothing to do. He may as well concern himself with his shadow on the wall." (Emerson, Paragraph 14)

In the bible there are many passages that encourage the action of nonconformity. The bible says to not conform to the worldly ideologies and values of this world but to love according to higher principles and beliefs. For example, Romans 12:2 (NIV) states "Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This relates to Emersons message as it gives the exact same meaning. The verse says, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world." which is the same message Emerson is trying to convey in "Self-Reliance" It is to not conform to the "little minds" of the world but go further and to a different spiritual level. Rather than focusing on what the government, school, and work tells you to do, instead focus on different things. Things that are not what institutions tell you to believe but what you believe in.

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"Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string." (Paragraph 3, Emerson)

In modern times social media is one of the greatest ways of showing free thought. Social media allows everyone, no matter their background, to express their own opinion publicly. There is a wide range of ideas there which creates many different viewpoints which are needed to truly understand someone with different opinions. Platforms like, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook all provide spaces for free thought and open conversations. Many people on these apps are currently debating, seeing someone's viewpoint, and enjoying content of their liking. This allows people to have free thought on a day-to-day basis without a government entity taking control which aligns with what Emerson believes in. "Every heart vibrates to that iron string." shows that everyone has their own very strong opinions, and they ought to be able to share their own opinion without institutions controlling them. So rather than being inauthentic you should show your true self which social media allows you to do.

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"To be great is to be misunderstood." (Paragraph 14, Emerson)

Personal Finance in today's culture is a key example of self-reliance. In an age where people are retiring later and later and making means come to an end is becoming harder personal finance skills are needed more and more. To have great personal finance skills you need to be "Great" and have self-reliance. Many will misunderstand your goals and aspirations of financial freedom when you are constantly investing and saving your money all the time for your future life and retirement. You must be different from everyone else to set yourself apart. you must be "Misunderstood". As Emerson says you will be misunderstood on your journey to greatness or financial freedom. But once you are there they will finally understand.

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"Whoso would be a man, must be a nonconformist." (Paragraph 7, Emerson)

We see confidence in today’s pop culture society with business. We have seen a whole new generation of people in our capitalist society try to make a change for themselves through business and entrepreneurship. Because we live in a society where it is extremely easy to create businesses and money-making opportunities, a lot of people have had the bravery to step into the unknown and create their own. This shows confidence, because one must have the thought that they can do whatever they put their mind to in order to successfully run a business. This relates to Emerson’s quote above which urges people to be a "nonconformist" and to follow their own thoughts and opinions rather than others, which is needed in the world of business. There won't always be a guide on how to do things and at times you will have to trust your own instincts and have the confidence to do so.

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"Its nature is satisfied, and it satisfies nature, in all moments alike. But man postpones or remembers; he does not live in the present, but with reverted eye laments the past, or, heedless of the riches that surround him, stands on tiptoe to foresee the future. He cannot be happy and strong until he too lives with nature in the present, above time." (Paragraph 23, Emerson)

In modern times there is a valiant effort to maintain nature as it has great importance to us. It gives amazing wisdom unlike anything else on this earth. There are many non-profit organizations that work to preserve nature to keep its beauty and ever-growing wisdom. A specific is WCS, World Conservation Society, who works to make conservation efforts for nature and the animals that live in it. One of the reasons why we work to preserve nature is because of the lessons we can learn from it. Take for example the quote above from Emerson "He cannot be happy and strong until he too lives with nature in the present, above time." (Paragraph 23, Emerson) Nature is teaching us the lesson of being present and not overthinking about the future and past as it will bring happiness away from us. Without the conservation efforts to maintain nature we would not be able to learn these deeply important lessons.