When I was a young boy I was a huge fan of anything Superman, Star Wars and Top Gun related. Something about "heroes" fascinated me, I guess. 20 years later I still have a fascination with incredible people, heroic acts and monumental accomplishments. I admire people that push themselves far beyond their comfort zones; ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
In a simple google search you can easily find traits of a hero: Dedication, Conviction, Selflessness, Courage, Loyalty, Etc...
Our media typically labels firefighters, military personnel and police officers as heroes--I wouldn't disagree. But, don't you think it is possible for anyone to be a hero? Running into a burning building is courageous, but so is raising children. I think it is important that our (my) perception of what makes a hero isn't limited by what media tell(s) us. There are millions of people that carry out heroic acts every day that go unnoticed.
The Bigger Picture is this: As a society it is important that we alter our perception of heroes and heroism beyond what we see on television or in the news...A hero doesn't have to be marketable or profitable. Risking your life isn't a prerequisite either. Ironically, when you google "Heroes" the #1 link is for the popular tv show with the same title...
My Dad and I had a discussion about a year ago about "being heroic." His claim was that anyone can be a hero and it is something you can work to become. After listening to his opinion I tore his head off and vehemently disagreed. Sorry, Dad. It took me a year, but I agree with you now. --This is a common theme in my life: Dad almost always ends up being right, but that's an entirely different blog post.
Check this link out: Hero Awards
More irony: The host of the show is Dean Cain (former "Superman" tv actor). Oh well, separating the idea of heroism from fictional heroic characters might not be feasible...good link, nonetheless.
We can all be heroes. We all have the capability.
--Schmidty
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And a year later, I've learned that sometimes being a hero is just being in the wrong place at the right time with zero options.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, I still stick to my original thought.
I think about those USCG rescue swimmers--"Swimmer at the door, Lt." the flight mechanic says. "Swimmer in the water". Being a hero is the moment between being at the door and in the water--and in many case, saving someone's life. Hero, Heroic.