This is definitely about self-reliance as genuine
individual living. There is also the sense of ‘seize the day’ (which is certainly not a
modern phrase) and being aware of your place in history and what you can do as an
individual, as a member of society, but Emerson also calls for a transcendent move. He
means this spiritually/philosophically but also as being courageous enough to lead
humanity in its progress and adventure into the chaos and dark (which could be
interpreted as the unknown future). So, I agree that only you can put this in your own
words. If I were to put this in words for an audience of my own peers, it would be less
refined, but hopefully as powerful. The thing about it is that this passage, and many
others from Emerson, are general powerful enough to be timeless. That is, they can apply
to any period in history because they illustrate virtuous principles that can be applied
any time. But, if you want to tailor it to a time period, use something culturally
relevant like technology. For example:
This is an
incredible time in the world’s history. Because of computer technology, ridiculously
vast amounts of knowledge are literally at your fingertips. Great people before you
looked at the world as if it were always miraculous; this is a wonder that most children
lose during adolescence and young adulthood. Don’t lose it. The world is more integrated
now than ever before. It calls for individuals to think like individuals while also
thinking of each other. Don’t float lazily by in the overwhelming current of history. Be
the current.
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