What do you say when people proclaim their success by pulling themselves up by their bootstraps?
Actually, one doesn’t have to say anything, but the question is, do you believe them? Do you think they had no help from family, friends, strangers, or God?
Do you believe that they did it all by themselves?
Success by this means is called a bootstrap mentality.
What an ego! Every sentence probably begins with ‘I did this,’ ‘I did that,’ or the other.
Like other idioms, the bootstrap saying is a metaphor or figure of speech and is not taken literally.
Not all boots have bootstraps.
What are bootstraps?
Bootstraps are leather flaps. One flap on each side of the boot helps the owner to pull their boots on.
Some millionaires, billionaires, and others say they pulled themselves up in life by their bootstraps. They believe that they worked harder than most and broke the chains of poverty and deprivation without help from anyone.
“I did it!” they exclaim.
They claim that self-sufficiency, discipline, and perseverance transformed them from nobodies to people of substance to be respected and even revered.
Another aspect of the bootstrap mentality usually includes the ‘if I did it, everyone else needs to do it’ mindset. Then comes the ‘all you have to do’ story.
All one has to do is ‘be like them.’
It’s a DIY, do-it-yourself venture; don’t ask or expect help from anyone, not even family, friends, or God.
If one doesn’t expect help, the likelihood of asking for help decreases.
Most often, people with this mentality don’t believe in handouts or an open hand to help others. They think providing needs or free handouts creates a dependency on others, especially government help.
Sure, every poverty-stricken child with little or no education and no resources can become a bootstrap success.
This statement is far from the truth.
Is there any truth to the magic boots, rags-to-riches, mystical IDIM (I-did-it-myself) declarations?
The Bible doesn’t say the rich will always be with us, but it does say several times that the poor will always be with us.
Everyone cannot and will not be a bootstrap success.
Christians honor God for all resources and successes.
Christians offer no apologies, asserting God’s involvement in the lives of all creations. 1 Chronicles 29:14 (NIV) reminds us everything comes from God, including our energy and strength.
There’s no such thing as a self-made individual.
Pulling oneself up by the bootstraps is a self-portrayed myth that ignores truth and the providence of God in our lives.
These days, not many people want to be their brother’s keeper or lend a helping hand. Holding people responsible for their scarcity, economic condition, and DIY lifestyle isn’t the Christian way.
What about inequality, discrimination, and other aspects of society that affect people’s economic conditions and standing in life?
These things and others make the bootstrap idiom improbable for many people.
Realistically, a bootstrap mentality is a copout to praise oneself and dishonor those who helped along the way. A bootstrap mentality downplays the contributions of others and fails to recognize God, the giver of all things.
John 8:32 (KJV) says, “The truth shall make you free.”
It’s honorable to give credit to those who are due it.
Be well.