I was casually reading some Ralph Waldo Emerson the other day, as we nerdy English people are wont to do from time to time, and I was reminded of a great quote: "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 is a valuable idea for today's students to ponder.
Why do we believe what we believe and do what we do? Is it because that's what others are participating in? Conversely, is it because we want to show how unique we are by separating ourselves from others? Emerson says those ways are too easy. There's no challenge, no clarity, in mindlessly going along with everyone else or stubbornly isolating ourselves.
Emerson is actually saying that greatness can only be achieved by interacting with all sorts of people and ideas, to learn and explore, to engage and dialogue--to participate in the world. Yet, he also says there is a strength that is developed by thinking and acting independently, to not be beholden to the whims of others, but to exercise our own judgment and values.
We don't learn by following the herds of trendiness or by living on an island. We must reach our own conclusions only after careful evaluation and then self-reflection. That will be a key to greatness for many students this new school year.
Why do we believe what we believe and do what we do? Is it because that's what others are participating in? Conversely, is it because we want to show how unique we are by separating ourselves from others? Emerson says those ways are too easy. There's no challenge, no clarity, in mindlessly going along with everyone else or stubbornly isolating ourselves.
Emerson is actually saying that greatness can only be achieved by interacting with all sorts of people and ideas, to learn and explore, to engage and dialogue--to participate in the world. Yet, he also says there is a strength that is developed by thinking and acting independently, to not be beholden to the whims of others, but to exercise our own judgment and values.
We don't learn by following the herds of trendiness or by living on an island. We must reach our own conclusions only after careful evaluation and then self-reflection. That will be a key to greatness for many students this new school year.