I need to figure things out myself

The COVID-19 era we are all going through at the moment has made us yearn for the good old days without social distancing, various SOPs and travel restrictions. I'm sure I'm not the only one who seeks nostalgia for a less stressful time. I have been watching old K-dramas and sitcoms (some as old as 10 years back back to the ones that are more recent, like five years ago). Once there was nothing to watch, I searched for a book that would transport me to a magical place and this naturally meant Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.

In my late teens and early 20s, which was also around the time I actually finished reading LOTR, I used to read the book every year thereafter. Once I started working however, this tradition came to a halt. A few weeks ago, I decided to read LOTR, from the first page to the last page. This was a big deal because I may have browsed certain favourite parts when I stopped my yearly reading but I am now attempting to read the book from start to finish. I thought it would take me ages but it only took me a few weeks. I finished it today. 

My thoughts as I was reading the part where the hobbits came back to a rude homecoming at the Shire and had to plan and organise how they would kick out the intruders that have implanted themselves during their quest to destroy the One Ring was how they had to use what they learned from their journey without any help from their bigger and wiser warrior-like companions.  

Merry and Pippin did most of the planning from the experience they had gained as knights of Rohan and Gondor, respectively. Sam did his share of fighting when he rescued Frodo from the orcs, which gave him the courage to take part in the uprising. Frodo for this part, did not partake much in the fighting but used his wisdom to ensure there was minimal bloodshed. Their main strategy, once they had gathered information on the intruders, was to raise the Shire and get everyone involved. Even though the intruders were Men and thus bigger than the hobbits themselves, it just goes to show that there is strength in numbers and unity, even when your opponents are bigger in size. During the four hobbits' absence from the Shire, the resident hobbits could have driven out the intruders but they did not know their own strength and lacked a leader to unify them. In certain situations, the perceived threat is actually bigger than the actual threat. Anywho, thanks to Merry, Pippin, Sam and Frodo, and together with the other hobbits who joined them, they succeeded in driving out the intruders who it turns out was under the command of Saruman.  

This part of LOTR had me thinking that we can't keep relying on others to solve whatever issues we may have. We should heed the lessons we have learned from our past experiences and apply it where appropriate. The hobbits used the knowledge they gained from observing how lords and captains organised the army in their assault against the might of Isengard and Mordor. They also observed how Aragorn made use of the terrain to fight against the Ringwraiths and how Gandalf made decisions based on the ever changing situation. 

In my own life, I can't keep relying on others when faced with obstacles in work or personal life. I need to figure things out for myself to achieve what I want. And as always, what I want is to be able to lead a quiet, peaceful life. I imagine myself living in somewhere full of greenery and community spirit just like the Shire.