“Be cheerful, also, and seek not eternal help, nor the peace which others give. A man must stand straight, and not be kept straight by others.” -M. Aurelius.
Society says much differently; in fact, the song goes; “People who need people are the luckiest people in the world.” Really? Have you ever trusted someone who took advantage of you? Maybe they took your money or drove you crazy with trying to please them? I am not saying to be antisocial; we as humans love to be social. It is important and a nice need. What I am saying is to become very wise in dealing with others so you are not hurt by the interactions.
“A man must stand straight, and not be kept straight by others,” means that a man must own his own common sense and not rely on others for his personal rightness. Then all his decisions will be true and right because they are coming from his inner rightness. The problem with getting help from others is that one day, they come calling for your help. Being mixed up wrongly with others causes endless problems.
Therefore, my wisdom grows by standing alone; I am responsible for all my decisions (right or wrong). Not to say you can’t have friends, but to choose them wisely, so their problems don’t become your problems.
There are endless positives that come from these studies, one of which is to not need anyone else (except of the practical level). No more fawning for friendship. The friendships begin to be on your terms. Finally. You begin to do something right for yourself.
Yes Nadine, as long as we keep distance between who we really are, and that dreadful inner idiot that kidnaps our consciousness, growth can’t be stopped! You don’t have to be of good cheer, because good cheer just is.