Feb 12 2008
Who is your hero?
I just experienced a somewhat jarring realization. I don’t think I have a hero.*
I was doing a writing exercise for Day 6 of my 21-Day journey. The exercise was focused on character development, and it required you to make a list of your heroes. I couldn’t think of one. After fifteen minutes of staring at an infuriatingly blank page and growing increasingly frustrated, I scribbled down “Einstein” and stalked away from my desk in disgust.
I mean, what’s wrong with me? How did I get to the age of almost 30 (May 28, thanks for asking) without having at least one or two heroes? Is it arrogance? Have I placed myself so high in my own estimation that there’s no one left to look up to? Is it self-absorption? Perhaps I’m unable to escape my own fears, anxieties, and neuroses long enough to actually appreciate another human being.
And… Einstein? Where the hell did that come from?
It got worse from there. I’m kind of embarrassed to write this, but I’m going to soldier on. I decided that I needed more variety on my list, so I strained and struggled to come up with another name or two to work with. My choices? Oprah and Helen Keller.
I know.
There’s nothing wrong with Oprah and Helen Keller–I’m sure they’re very heroic, but 1) I know very little about either of them (other than the obvious); 2) they don’t particularly inspire me; and 3) it seems like such a cliche.
It seems sad to me that I don’t have a real hero. So now I want to steal yours (I kid, I kid… kind of). Who is your hero? Who do you look up to? Who inspires you?
* I’m using the term hero throughout because it’s just to frustrating to type hero/ine every time. When I say “hero”, I’m referring to both men and women.
Ehh. I think the notion of heroes is overrated. Plus every time I hear the word I think of that stupid Mariah Carey song. I’d rather have different people I admire for particular talents or attributes. I admire Michael Chabon for his intelligence and the way he makes great writing so accessible. I admire Bill Gates for the fact that he took an idea, turned it into the biggest and most influential company in the world, and then created a foundation that works for causes I believe in. I admire Oprah for the fact that she overcame unbelievable hardship and went on to rule the world, basically. I admire Madonna for her unbelievable discipline and drive and her ability to reinvent herself and stay relevant. I admire social workers and special education teachers who do amazing, important work while being paid bupkis.
What about your mom, your grandmother, aunt, cousin, sister, great-grandmother, grandfather, uncle, father…I think you know where I’m going with this.
Heroes don’t have to be famous. It could be the teacher that sparked your passion for writing, the nurses who cared for you after surgery, or the woman who volunteers at the SPCA. Anyone who has inspired you to be more or want more. Someone at whom you look and think, “Gee, it’s just amazing that he/ she does that. I hope I can serve in that way someday.” Or whatever it is they do that is so special to you.
Your heroes are definitely all around you. You’re just so used to looking up to them, that you haven’t stepped out of the box to observe how they have served you.
Try it again, and I think you’ll come up with some people.
Oh, and for the record, I can’t name one famous person whom I would consider a hero. But I have plenty of heroes in my life, from my husband, to my stepdad, to various teachers or professors, to some of my close friends.
I don’t have a hero.
I just can’t bring myself to call anyone in particular such a word.
I’ve never had anyone that I identified as a hero, either. I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing, though — it just means I’m inspired by multiple people rather than fixating on just one!
I learned a long time ago that hanging your hopes on just one person is a recipe for heartache. Lucky for me, I have several heros.
My Aunt is one of the best people I know. She works so hard for her family, and she has four kids- that’s a lot of hard work. She never resents it- for her it truly is a labor of love.
My BFF B is the most generous person I know. I think if I told her I had a heart murmur, she’d rip hers out of her chest for me. She teaches me how to give without keeping score.
There’s a girl I’ve known online for almost ten years now; she’s the internet version of a big sister. Meghan is confident; she’s assertive and it comes easily to her because she’s comfortable in her own skin. She truly loves herself, and she honors that without reservation. She’s good to people, she keeps her commitments, but her most important commitment is the one she makes to herself.
I am not sure who my heroes would be. There are certainly people I admire. I agree that most likely your hero is someone close to you, a family member or friend.
You know what I think the problem is? Before celebrities became such public freaks like Britney, Lindsey, Paris, etc. there was much more media coverage of really amazing sports figures, people who did good works (Mother T.), people who worked for change (MLK). We don’t get that as much. It doesn’t sell.
I do agree that heroes can be right in our back yard. I have a woman that I know through a Christian group I am a member of. She is a nurse practitioner and every year she takes 3 weeks and goes and donates her time and skills to the victims of hurricane Katrina, people in Africa, etc.
Throughout the rest of the year she is actively involved in helping the needy. She would be my hero, I guess.
And my mom. She was always having people over for dinner, giving families food from our garden, finding clothes for those who didn’t have any, etc.
My Mom is my hero - always has been and always will be - she is amazing and I know it is a cliche’ to have her as mine but she is just that wonderful!