We can, and need to, value the individual AND care about social issues simultaneously, despite the rhetoric
It seems to me that the COVID era has brought a number of things to a head, some of which I will be addressing through my work, as the months progress.
By Emma Jaynes
The particular thing I want to touch on here, is something that appears to have been gathering momentum over the past few decades. This is a notion that valuing the individual and caring about social issues cannot, for some reason, co-exist.
Whilst I am no political analyst (and I don’t intend to be overly political), it would seem that the plight of the individual has received bad press since the days of Thatcher and Reagan and is now associated with the worst aspects of neo-liberalism – or at least that’s the current excuse for demoting the individual or, worse, demonising individuality, to the extent that the collective is everything, and the individual should sacrifice everything for the sake of the collective. Or, at least, some very specific types of individuals should.
But this assumes that the collective, society, is not made up of individuals who are worthy and valuable and have something of benefit to offer. It also assumes that paying attention to the individual will not aid the betterment of society and this seems a dangerous proposition.
Why does it seem dangerous?
Because, if we deem society more important that the individual, we necessarily shift responsibility from the individual to the society which really means, to the state.
It is a totally inverted, even twisted, endeavour, and very short-sighted – unless it is intended, of course.
It is worrying that, as a result of the current global situation, merely stating one’s own needs and preferences, is regarded as tantamount to wishing ill on the whole of society. As if what we are being told by those who only gain to profit from what they are telling us have access to the only ‘truth’ available.
In other arenas as well, if we aren’t seen to be sacrificing our own needs and wants to others deemed more worthy, we are viewed as selfish or even evil. Often, people use much more pejorative language, especially on social media.
In my view, it is as if a mass hysteria has overtaken the many people of the world, who would appear to be perfectly happy to hand over everything to meet the needs of this mythical collective, at their own expense, which really means over to the few who are currently running the shop and only stand to gain from our ‘sacrifice’.
In my life and my work, I clearly state my core values. The two that encircle the others are sovereignty and harmony (link to core values page). In essence, this is to indicate that the individual and the collective, are inextricably linked and you can’t have the, well-functioning, one, without the, well-functioning, other.
Moreover, it is absolutely vital that each individual has what is needed to make society a fabulous place to be, for everyone.
If we can bring up well developed, healthy, educated, compassionate, and honest individuals, who take responsibility across all areas of their lives, including in being of service to others, surely, any thinking person can see that society, as a whole, would flourish.
If we build up each individual, encourage them, motivate them, value them, support them to aspire to greater things and inspire others, surely we would have a society full of well-rounded, empowered, and useful people able to pass skills and experience on to others and that would be a good thing, yes?
Instead, I see more and more people in my work who are unhappy, demotivated, directionless, often laden with pharmaceuticals, and reliant on the state. It is not good for them, and it is not good for society.
They only begin to improve when they take ownership of their challenges and are encouraged and supported to be their best selves, when they find purpose and learn the importance of getting their own needs met. 
I have seen so many flourish when they are reminded of their individual worth, their ability to imagine a better life, and the opportunity to gain skills and take responsibility. Most, if not all, of these people, go on to become great assets in their local communities and contribute to the betterment of society as a whole
When we demote and degrade the individual, society as a whole goes into decline and everybody suffers. Societal harmony is dependent on the exaltation of the individual, who is able to exhibit personal sovereignty.
If you are interested in personal sovereignty you may find the Springboard to Success workbook useful which you can download for free by clicking on the button below – enjoy! 🙂
