Today, more than ever, we need heroes – men and women who are living on purpose, who focus on the similarities rather than the differences, who are ready and able to protect the ones who need protection, and who understand that there is no “us and them” . . . there’s only us.
[Title Photo by Jonathan Borba]
Minutes after an armed teenager opened fire at an elementary school in Townville, SC, volunteer firefighter Jamie Brock and his fire chief, Billy McAdams reached the scene. They decided to split up, and while the Chief raced inside and began treating the wounded, Jamie Brock searched the playground. He spotted the shooter and confronted him. Brock wrestled the armed boy to the ground and held him there until help arrived.
Jamie Brock was widely acclaimed as a hero, and rightfully so. His quick action, with no regard for his own safety, possibly prevented further injuries or deaths.
Heroes
In his book, Natural Born Heroes, Christopher McDougal tells us that, in ancient Greek, hero meant protector. Not tough guy. Not “killer of bad guys”. Not even “one who dies trying for a cause”. No. Hero = Protector.
In this day and time, we need more heroes — men and women like you and me who will step up to the role of Hero. Here are some attributes to which you and I can aspire if we want to become heroes.
1) “Be fit to be useful.”
A hero must be physically and mentally and yes, morally, strong.
But when a hero works to become stronger, it’s about more than just being in it for himself or herself.
A hero has strength for 2.
A hero must be strong for those who cannot be strong.
The things we do to strengthen ourselves in all those areas – physically, mentally, emotionally, morally — we aren’t doing only for ourselves. We do them so we can help others. A hero wants to be fit in order to be useful.
2) A hero lives on purpose.
You came here with a purpose. You have a combination of talents, skills, innate abilities, interests and inclinations that are totally unique. No one living today has your unique set of abilities. No one who has ever lived has your same abilities. No one who will ever live will have your same abilities. You came here with a purpose — you came here to do a job for which you alone are uniquely qualified. And if you don’t do it, it won’t be done. No one else is qualified to do your job, to fulfill your purpose. Why would you try to imitate anyone else? You are a great You! And you are on your way to being a hero!
3) A hero cultivates compassion and empathy.
As the ancients understood it, the concept of heroism isn t about strength, or boldness, or even courage. The concept of heroism is about cultivating the strengths of compassion and empathy. If you and I are going to grow into the role of Hero, we must strengthen our own abilities. We must be able to put ourselves into another’s place – to see the world from the perspective of another, to feel what another feels. Because a hero cares.
Today, more than ever, we need heroes – men and women who are living on purpose, who focus on the similarities rather than the differences, who are ready and able to protect the ones who need protection, and who understand that there is no “us and them”. There’s only us.
Because the greatest attribute of a hero . . . is love. It’s another step on the path to embracing your Excelerated Life™!
Excelerated Values™ – defining and living your Valid Values – is one practice for creating your Excelerated Life™, a life of flourishing and well-being, and a life of meaning, purpose, and service.