Simple survival requires us to be in possession of many skills. The
pursuit of dreams requires many more. Most individuals rely on the
support of a village, whether peopled by relatives or community
members, to effectively address the numerous ways we need assistance.
This can mean anything from asking favors of acquaintances and leaning
on loved ones for support to paying a skilled artisan to handle
specialized tasks. However, each human being is born with the capacity
to be their own village. We embody many roles throughout our lifetimes,
all of which are representative of our capacity for self-sufficiency
and self-determination. In different moments in our lives, we are our
own counselor, janitor, caregiver, cook, healer, teacher, and student.
Our willingness to joyfully take on these roles grants us the power to
maintain control over the direction our life's journey takes.
In times past, human beings learned all of the skills needed for
survival. Today, the majority of people specialize in a single
discipline, which they hone throughout their lives. Thus, many of us
feel uncomfortable standing at the helm of our own existence. We
question our ability to make decisions concerning our own health,
happiness, and welfare, and are left feeling dependent and powerless.
But the authority to take ultimate responsibility for our lives is
simply a matter of believing that we have the necessary faith and
intelligence to cope with any circumstance the universe chooses to
place in our path. Proving that we can each be our own villages through
action enables us to accept that we are strong enough to exist
autonomously. Cooking, cultivating a garden of fruits and vegetables,
undertaking minor home repair, or adopting a healthier lifestyle can
help you reassert your will.
Being your own village does not mean embracing isolation, for a
balanced life is built upon the dual foundations of the inner and the
outer villages. Rather, being your own village is a celebration of your
wondrous inner strength and resourcefulness, as well as an
acknowledgment of your innate ability to capably steer the course of
your life.