The Strength of Self.

We live in a very individualistic society. Well, that's assuming that you people reading this come from a Western background. But even if you don't, those ideas are spreading and filtering more into the Eastern, and other more group-oriented societies.

As such, a heck of a lot of importance is placed upon the individual. Their freedom; their rights; their independence. It's this last one that has been highlighted in this instance.

Independence is an interesting idea. The word is quite simple; the "in-" prefix, usually rendering the opposite meaning of something, or not-something; and then "dependence", or the degree to which one relies upon others for basic needs and supplies. So, essentially, it's saying that you don't rely on other people for anything.

Now, in a lot of ways, that's a great thing to have. Being a teenager, living at home, barely scraping enough to get through the week - it feels good when I can pay for things by myself. When I can do my own work, that sort of thing. And independence is a good thing to develop, so that you're not being demanding of other people, and just draining them rather than contributing yourself.

However, that can be taken to a bit of an extreme. You can get the idea that you need to do everything completely by yourself; that asking for any help is weak, and that friends are just for those who can't fend for themselves. News Flash: Nobody can, all the time. Some people can do so more than others, true. But we all have spots where we need help. A hand to lift us up.

It seems to be a popular idea - well, I shouldn't use that word. That would suggest that people like it. Common, that works better.

It seems to be a common idea that people are always alone. No matter how many are near them, how many friends they have, they are always alone.

Two things to say to that.
Firstly, God's always there, so nobody is ever alone. Yes, he's always watching, whatever you happening to be doing at the time. And people get worried about Big Brother... Thankfully, he's not Zeus. Otherwise we'd all be shocking human crispies by now.
Secondly, if you're not into the whole "God" thing - then, even when nobody is physically there with you; they're still with you in your mind.  You have a connection, that means that even if they are gone, they can still be with you. I know that I'm never alone, and I won't be dying alone; even if there's no one there. Actually, I'm glad they aren't all there, because you'd need a cathedral or two to fit them all. Maybe a small football field. Football, not soccer. :P

So, to sum up. Individual independence is good, but don't get obsessed over it.