Dr. Phil says that you should communicate more, and share more. Judge Judy told yesterday's plaintiff that he should be more considerate. Martha Stewart recommends that you don't mix plaids and polka dots. So, if you agree and choose not to mix plaid and polka dot does that mean you've lost your self-reliance? I listened, so does that make me less of myself? Well, although Emerson might not agree, I say that I am being true to myself as I take their advice.

I think that everyone always has a choice. No matter what. There's always a choice and I think that is where self-reliance lies. Being self-reliant is hard in today's world. Everywhere you go there is someone or something thinking for you and telling you what you "should" do. You have to think for yourself and that isn't always easy. Being different from everyone else doesn't...