Heroes

     Historically, when we think of heroes, names like Hercules, Wonder Woman, Batman, etc., come to mind.  We may also think of our public defenses, thus making heroes of soldiers, police, and medical personnel.  What about our sports heroes?  Yes, them, too. What surprises us is when our fellow, meager human beings do fantastic things and get the application of hero.

     What does it take to make a hero?  Does a hero have to save lives?  Does he or she bring excitement and make us feel as if our own status is raised, as when we align our thinking with sports stars or political figures?  Arguably, that makes us heroes by proxy, because it is not actually ourselves who are the heroes, rather, we gain prestige by becoming party to the team, so to speak, of the individual who is the actual hero.

     Let us consider the dictionary definition of hero:  “a person noted for courageous acts or nobility of character.”

In this regard, anyone of characteristic behaviour that benefits others, including emergency rescue workers, firemen, doctors and nurses, all fit this description.  So what does Joe Schmoe have to do to accomplish recognition as a hero? 

     Perhaps the thing that stands out in our minds as heroic is going the extra mile to change someone else’s life in a positive way.  How about the teacher who spends extra money to get needed classroom supplies?  How about the stranger who, walking down the beach, notices someone sinking beneath the waves and runs out to save him or her?  What about someone who knows there are children trying to get out of a burning house?  All of these circumstances are opportunities to influence someone else’s life for the better.  But let’s dig deeper.

     Think of the person standing in line at a grocery checkout who notices the person ahead counting out a handful of pennies to pay the last little bit of what is a small grocery bill in the first place, and chooses to pay the balance for him.  The person for whom she pays is blessed by the act and may, in time, be moved to pay for someone else who is struggling.  Also, those who witness this act may be moved to help others in the same or some other kind way.  This kind of act is not only heroic, but it starts a ripple effect that needs never end. 

     How about someone who sees a person fumbling with heavy packages and offers to carry some of them or helps with a door?  Maybe he or she had to cross a road to get there, but the important thing is that they helped.

     Seemingly small efforts that bring smiles, lifts burdens, and opens the way for better things to come into someone else’s life are heroic, and each one of us can find an opportunity to do so.

May you be richly blessed.