Hero – 2015-12-31

“Attitudes are caught not taught.”

Reflecting on how we (I) treat others…

If we model that people are more valuable if they earn more, or have more money in the bank, in their car or in their home; we are modeling that money is more important than people. We treat people with a higher degree of respect based on their money… in that case, our young people are not worthy of much respect, neither are our elderly, as financial resources either pending or past.

What If we model that people are important for who they are rather than for what they do? What if we value character, wisdom and integrity?

We are a nation of hero (heroine)-worshipers. As parents, grandparents, mentors, we have such an impact on the heroes our children choose, on the way our children will navigate life, and on their relationships. What if we choose differently how we will model that? What if we respect those we love and love those we respect? What if we choose our heroes carefully, someone who makes an amazing role-model, rather than based on those who are celebrities or newsworthy?

I have seen heroes chosen not because they were admirable people, but because children craved attention from that particular authority figure – whether or not the person was really someone you would want as a role-model. Being on a pedestal seems to give great opportunity for self-worship and abuse… as the saying goes, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” We often worship power. What if the powerful figures in our life used that power responsibly? Ethically?

The Miriam Webster definition of “hero”
“Full Definition of hero
plural he·roes
1
a : a mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability
b : an illustrious warrior
c : a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities
d : one who shows great courage
2
a : the principal male character in a literary or dramatic work
b : the central figure in an event, period, or movement
3 plural usually he·ros : submarine 2
4 an object of extreme admiration and devotion ”

I am contemplating heroes today… who are our heroes? When I was a child, our heroes were those who fought evil and personified ethics and strength. Who are today’s heroes? What do we base those choices on? Are we a generation with heroes who personify ethics or are our choices based on $$? Have you considered who your hero/heroine is and why?

It seems almost that the heart of a culture is personified in its heroes. How many would choose Mother Theresa? Or their parents? Grandparents?