Growing up, Superman was my favorite hero. He was faster than a speeding bullet, and he could leap over tall buildings in a single bound! He was strong and brave. He was the best! As I got older, though Superman was still impressive, I began to prefer Batman. Bruce Wayne is just a mortal man with no superpowers other than being super rich, but as Batman he solved crime and did good (mostly).
For some, sports figures are heroes. Others admire historical figures, leaders of nations, titans of industry or artists to name a few. Whoever and whatever they may be, they inspire us to be better.
Our view of heroes may change over time. Right now, neither Superman nor Batman are my heroes. I realize they are not real people, though if they were they may still have made the list! Today, my heroes are the ones that selflessly give of themselves to make things better for others.
Recently, people we may take for granted have emerged as unexpected heroes. For instance, though they were already heroes, first responders, fire fighters, police and EMT personnel solidified their hero status to the public on 9/11.
In today’s environment, not only are the doctors and nurses who have sacrificed and given of themselves tirelessly heroes, but others have emerged. People that continue to volunteer or donate to help the less fortunate are heroes. Teachers who continue to virtually educate and parents who juggle homeschooling with their regular workload are heroes. The essential workers that report for work every day to provide us with things that we need, each of them is a hero. To all of you, THANK YOU!
This weekend be a hero. Be kind, it does not take much, sometimes it’s a simple smile. Applaud our doctors and nurses as they start or end their shifts, leave a note of appreciation for your neighborhood postal worker, or just give a friend you haven’t talked to in awhile a call and see how they are. There are many ways we can thank our heroes and become heroes ourselves, how will you be one?
“I think a hero is any person really intent on making this a better place for all people.” – Maya Angelou
Have a heroic weekend,
Vijay