Redefining Heroism

We've all been asked the question at some point in life in some form or another: "Who's your hero/ine?" Of course, we have those stock hero cards in our pockets at all times that we can flash if we're not entirely sure of the answer... dad, mom, soldiers, firemen, a teacher... But if you really had to name a hero/ine - a person who is admired for his or her courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities, according to the dictionary definition - who would it be and why? Could you even come up with an honest answer?

The problem is that the definition of the word according to Merriam-Webster et al. leaves the definition so impersonal that it's sometimes difficult to interpret. The passive "a person who is admired..." leaves us wondering whether we even need to know this person we admire as a hero. Even the examples of those go-to responses I listed above are a mashup of both people who are close to us and have personally affected our lives and those who represent something to us but with whom we have never had personal contact.

But is there one that is right?

I have to say boldly that there absolutely is not. There are people who are close to me who inspire me daily and who I admire for their courage and outstanding achievements. At the same time, there are individuals out there in the world who do such good and also possess such noble qualities that I would have to count them among my heroes as well.

We naturally draw inspiration from others, looking to them as an example of who we want to be, what we want to do. We glean wisdom and insight from here and from there and incorporate those bits in our lives however we see fit. We need heroes. We need people whose greatness we can aspire to. Whether it's a parent, a close friend, a gifted professor, or a celebrity, being inspired by someone good - or at very least, someone who has accomplished great things - it can't be a bad thing.

The question really is where does this inspiration come from? The truth is, we're all capable of greatness. We know this deep down... even when we doubt ourselves. We recognize the greatness in others and we identify with it, not even always realizing why. Consider this possibility for a moment: your as-yet unexposed-to-the-world greatness could very well match... or even exceed... that of your hero/ine. [Cue Mariah Carey song from the 90s "Hero." Who knew she was so deep... Think about it.].

You are powerful beyond measure. When we seek out a hero, maybe we're reaching out to see if something that matches our own inner greatness lives inside of someone else.

"True greatness knows itself." ~Shakespeare [Henry IV]