Umbilical

     When the umbilical cord is cut we are physically free, an individual separate from mother, but we humans would not survive without help from adults for food, housing, clothing and nurturing. We become emotionally and psychologically attached to our parents.  As adults, we need to finish cutting the cord.
     Of course, we remain connected through love.  We may choose to keep our parents' values, beliefs, and opinions.  In many cases, this is a good thing.  In some cases, this keeps us from developing independence.   When we value our parents' point of view to the point that we have difficulty understanding anything else, we remain a child.
     Some people become uneasy when the cord is cut.  They feel the need to be attached to someone else or something else, a mate, their own children, or religion.  They may never feel the freedom of true independence.
      Of course, everybody needs someone or something to provide comfort.  The world that sustains us can also be harsh, cruel, and mysterious.  We try to make sense of it and adjust.
     Nothing can change the fact that we are responsible for our survival.  We must rely on our own brain and make our way in the world.  By growing from dependency to independence, we can fully develop our potential and attain wisdom.