36 claps is my personal top of the line when I read as a reader (as opposed to an encouraging editor). Thank you for exposing me to the Stanley and/or Emerson words through your beautiful tapestry of an essay. It all very much resonated with me, as Emerson has done in the past. His essay on self reliance molded me very briefly in high school before I lost my way and then rediscovered myself at age 53 when I experienced my spiritual awakening.

I'm a bit confused on the provenance of the poem/essay. Emerson had been dead for over 20 years when Ms. Stanley's essay was published.