Heroes

A "hero" in Greek mythology and folklore came to refer to characters that, in the face of danger and adversity or from a position of weakness, display courage or self-sacrifice. Contrary to what modern society teaches us, a hero is not someone who can hit 70 home runs in a season, rush for more yards than anyone else before him, or score more goals. A hero is not someone who can get $25 million to act in a movie that disappears from theaters in less than a month. A hero is not someone who can sell a lots of records, but whose personal life is in shambles.

Everyday, countless examples of heroism  occur, most of which we will never hear about.  The heroism of ordinary people, often unheralded and unrecognized except perhaps by those around them. As a Marine I was a witness to countless heroic acts by other Marines that never earned them a medal or an award. Real heroes don't do what they do for rewards or even recognition. They do it because some inner voice tells them it is what has to be done regardless of the difficulties involved. Physical courage is only one aspect of heroism. Sometimes heroism comes in the form of moral courage, doing the right thing irregardless of the personal consequences, or even overcoming physical and mental handicaps. A Greek friend who lives in Mexico told me about Nick Vujicic, a hero I believe, that is worthy of admiration.

It's a shame we don't always recognize real heroism when we see it.

Comments

[Margaret]

Mmm. Inspiring. I had a look at his website (http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/about-nick-vujicic.php) and another YouTube clip (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DxlJWJ_WfA). I liked the honesty in his account of his life (about feeling sad sometimes, and about being bullied). His parents must be truly amazing people since the seeds of his self esteem must have been sown by them and by the example of their own faith. Don't ever let me complain again...

[Stavros]

Margaret,

Most of us strive for an elusive happiness in this world. The more I learn and experience, the more I realize that what we own, how we look and what people think of us, are important only if we allow them to be. The happiness derived from these things is illusory and fleeting.

I am amazed how many truly heroic people carry on under very difficult circumstances from day to day without complaint while the rest of us whine about insignificant things.

[Margaret]

I've been thinking a bit more about this. Nick's disabilities are truly extreme, but he has managed to make a success of his life in male terms - building a business, making money, leading from the front. In a way his disabilities would have been worse if he had been a woman who, whether she liked it or not would be judged more on her appearance. And he is bright and articulate and personable which makes everything easier, both for him and for his parents. We have friends who are not so lucky, and whose children have disabilities that are less easy to come to terms with, for all that they are less obvious. For unconnected reasons I was talking with my daughters yesterday about people who have "failed" by the world's cruel measures on the ladders that are supposed to define them, and we were trying to think of people who, notwithstanding their apparent failure, were happy, generous, kind, loving. We could think of a few of either sex, and they are my heroes for now too. You're right, of course, about happiness based on worldly things, but it is very difficult (if not impossible) not to care what people think of us especially if they are dear to us.

[Stavros]

To be sure almost everyone, including myself, has a deep-seated need to have others think highly of us. The question is does that impact on our sense of happiness? It does if we do not develop a sense of humility and if we allow others to define us. As I get older I am less inclined to worry about what others think of me than what God might think of my life. I also realize that even men that have achieved every standard of worldly success, aren't necessarily much further up on the ladder than I am.

As for parents of children with severe disabilities or truly debilitating conditions, they are unsung heroes as well. I see them daily in my practice and can only marvel at their quiet courage and dignity. All I can think of is how these parents can never look forward to seeing their child live a normal life and celebrate the milestones of such a life.

[Margaret]

Totally right, wise man, save for a small drafting point. I'd delete the "aren't necessarily much" and replace it with "are very unlikely to be any". Mustn't let humility get in the way of truth :).

[Stavros]

Margaret, I am seldom wise and even more seldom right but thank you for saying so anyway :)