Of course, my first heroes.were my family.
Dad seemed to be able to almost anything. Mom was a great cook, any child’s friend, compassionate and dedicated. They were born about the time of WWI so went through the Depression as their families’ main source of income. (Mom had lard sandwiches at times. Yuck!) Then came WWII and everyone did their part. Hard to believe in this day and age.
Then there was my dad’s mother and Mom’s parents. They were all born about 1870.
Mom’s parent’s were good, decent people. Grandmother Vernie could scare me even being as small as she was but she really did treat us well despite in-law strife. She was a horrible driver BTW. Grandfather was a carpenter and the kind of grandfather every child should have.
Dad’s mother was FORMIDABLE but she still put up with us kids. She lived in the apartment above us as many bigger houses were built at the time. She had home schooled Dad. She must have done a decent job. He got into the local university at the age of 13.
She had traveled to Europe and met some famous people. She had a Phi Betta Kappa key from UofMinnesota. She had written several books. She had taught at a prestigious college. Etc. She started teaching me French when I was seven or so.
Unfortunately, I never knew Dad’s father. He had died before my brother was born but I know he was a fairly decent man. Dad had all but worshiped him, I think.
From all of them, I got a love of learning, appreciation of the world, and realizing that all people have their own gifts, none really greater than another. My brother was visually handicapped and my neighbors’ youngest had Downs Syndrome but was the best one of the family.
I was also encouraged not to blindly follow the crowd, which caused a crisis when the first Star Wars movie came out. It sounded so good but it was insanely popular. Glad I went to see it. I even got my parents to go.
They didn’t do everything perfectly. Becoming a parent doesn’t normally come with an instruction manual. They did their best to do the best for us. I can’t say that about some other parents I know.
In the 60’s, I got introduced to Marvel Comics. Don’t snigger. They did not, as Dad warned me, ‘rot my brain’. Besides, I was a teenager. As Stan Lee used to say, ” ‘Nuff said.” They didn’t rot my brain. They expanded it.
Thor and Captain America quickly became my favorites, as they are now actually. They were brave and had honor, fighting for others and, with Cap, believing in what our country could be. Something both of use still believe in.
Then there are today’s heroes. Health care workers, grocery workers, sanitation workers, and letter-persons to name a few.
“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”
There are so many people doing good things that none of us know about. They too are heroes.
My heroes are the people that bring true joy and compassion to the world. They just do—not for themselves but because they are already so full they are able to give without asking for something in return. They always have kind words and truly live in kindness. They see the best in everyone and bring out the best in them as well. When this person asks about your day, they truly want to hear. They are so filled with peace that they are able to be mindful. They glide through life and are able to effortlessly do without doing. I’m speaking of the Christus. I do believe that we have so many of them blessing us now; our society just tends to highlight the opposite instead. We have been programmed to seek the chaos of drama rather than the tranquility of peace.
Many of the female saints, the pioneer women in both settling the west and breaking barriers in business, predjudice and religion.
Despite the opposition they faced they kept going and made a difference.
For example, my neighbor is. He had built a kind of ladder and posed it in our flat recessed sink in the garden so that the toads and lizards can climb out again and not to get stuck in the sink when they had searched for water. Or he placed a “bee-hotel” next to the house for the wild bees to find a space to live. Or the bus driver today, waiting for an elder lady who was hurrying to reach the bus.
My hero is Helen Keller. She overcame the ultimate form of darkness to make connections with other people around the world. She learned to use what she had, and not miss what she lacked. She was proof that anything is possible, and she had such spirit.
There are many, in their own ways, who I admire for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. They all, each in their own unique ways, remind me of the importance of being a fully bloomed “me”.
One of my heroes is my AlAnon sponsor Betty Ann because she is always so giving of herself to others, so honest and so empathetic and compassionate. She lives her program every minute every day. She has helped me find my courage the most seriously missing character strength in my life.
I agree with so many of you. So many everyday unsung heroes who show up to life with everyday courage. Who just do the next right thing because they make that choice. Who accept life on life’s terms and are grateful.
My father for his unfailing integrity. AOC (US Representative) for her amazing courage. And President Biden, for running our country at a time he could be resting and enjoying his golden years.
I gave up having heroes a long time ago. When you place someone on a pedestal, he or she is bound to fall off at some point. It’s disappointing to me and unfair to them.
Maybe that’s where I am, Carol – one of my heroes disappointed me dreadfully on Saturday, and the feeling was mutual. We have forgiven each other but I doubt if we’ll ever forget. The upside is that I’m happier with one of my less heroic friends now, and that’s making our relationship more fun.
It’s been a while since I’ve been here. My hero’s – hard to say. I really admired my dad for being steady and balanced in life. That really inspires me because it is so important for others to have someone that is consistent and reliable. Now, as a father I see how giving and how much loving sacrifice that is for a family. Truly putting others first is simple hero behavior I really admire.
Don’t really use the word hero/heroes anymore (yet) definitely AM inspired by others!! A lot of the time, everyday people…..& sometimes- I don’t even know their names. What catches my attention, inspires me…..their AGAPE [the dictionary I have states Christian love…..I choose to see it as Universal love] = love as an action/love in action…..for whatever they are doing, be it with a person/people or nature or even some type of thankless job that has to be done, while taking care & attention in how they do it.
I am inspired by those who lift others up in any way that they can. I am inspired by those who take risks to follow their dreams. I wouldn’t call any of these (many) people heroes, just good humans doing their part, following their hearts.
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Of course, my first heroes.were my family.
Dad seemed to be able to almost anything. Mom was a great cook, any child’s friend, compassionate and dedicated. They were born about the time of WWI so went through the Depression as their families’ main source of income. (Mom had lard sandwiches at times. Yuck!) Then came WWII and everyone did their part. Hard to believe in this day and age.
Then there was my dad’s mother and Mom’s parents. They were all born about 1870.
Mom’s parent’s were good, decent people. Grandmother Vernie could scare me even being as small as she was but she really did treat us well despite in-law strife. She was a horrible driver BTW. Grandfather was a carpenter and the kind of grandfather every child should have.
Dad’s mother was FORMIDABLE but she still put up with us kids. She lived in the apartment above us as many bigger houses were built at the time. She had home schooled Dad. She must have done a decent job. He got into the local university at the age of 13.
She had traveled to Europe and met some famous people. She had a Phi Betta Kappa key from UofMinnesota. She had written several books. She had taught at a prestigious college. Etc. She started teaching me French when I was seven or so.
Unfortunately, I never knew Dad’s father. He had died before my brother was born but I know he was a fairly decent man. Dad had all but worshiped him, I think.
From all of them, I got a love of learning, appreciation of the world, and realizing that all people have their own gifts, none really greater than another. My brother was visually handicapped and my neighbors’ youngest had Downs Syndrome but was the best one of the family.
I was also encouraged not to blindly follow the crowd, which caused a crisis when the first Star Wars movie came out. It sounded so good but it was insanely popular. Glad I went to see it. I even got my parents to go.
They didn’t do everything perfectly. Becoming a parent doesn’t normally come with an instruction manual. They did their best to do the best for us. I can’t say that about some other parents I know.
In the 60’s, I got introduced to Marvel Comics. Don’t snigger. They did not, as Dad warned me, ‘rot my brain’. Besides, I was a teenager. As Stan Lee used to say, ” ‘Nuff said.” They didn’t rot my brain. They expanded it.
Thor and Captain America quickly became my favorites, as they are now actually. They were brave and had honor, fighting for others and, with Cap, believing in what our country could be. Something both of use still believe in.
Then there are today’s heroes. Health care workers, grocery workers, sanitation workers, and letter-persons to name a few.
“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”
There are so many people doing good things that none of us know about. They too are heroes.
My heroes are the people that bring true joy and compassion to the world. They just do—not for themselves but because they are already so full they are able to give without asking for something in return. They always have kind words and truly live in kindness. They see the best in everyone and bring out the best in them as well. When this person asks about your day, they truly want to hear. They are so filled with peace that they are able to be mindful. They glide through life and are able to effortlessly do without doing. I’m speaking of the Christus. I do believe that we have so many of them blessing us now; our society just tends to highlight the opposite instead. We have been programmed to seek the chaos of drama rather than the tranquility of peace.
Front line medical staff. They have put their lives on the line.
Many of the female saints, the pioneer women in both settling the west and breaking barriers in business, predjudice and religion.
Despite the opposition they faced they kept going and made a difference.
For example, my neighbor is. He had built a kind of ladder and posed it in our flat recessed sink in the garden so that the toads and lizards can climb out again and not to get stuck in the sink when they had searched for water. Or he placed a “bee-hotel” next to the house for the wild bees to find a space to live. Or the bus driver today, waiting for an elder lady who was hurrying to reach the bus.
My hero is Helen Keller. She overcame the ultimate form of darkness to make connections with other people around the world. She learned to use what she had, and not miss what she lacked. She was proof that anything is possible, and she had such spirit.
There are many, in their own ways, who I admire for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. They all, each in their own unique ways, remind me of the importance of being a fully bloomed “me”.
One of my heroes is my AlAnon sponsor Betty Ann because she is always so giving of herself to others, so honest and so empathetic and compassionate. She lives her program every minute every day. She has helped me find my courage the most seriously missing character strength in my life.
I agree with so many of you. So many everyday unsung heroes who show up to life with everyday courage. Who just do the next right thing because they make that choice. Who accept life on life’s terms and are grateful.
My father for his unfailing integrity. AOC (US Representative) for her amazing courage. And President Biden, for running our country at a time he could be resting and enjoying his golden years.
I gave up having heroes a long time ago. When you place someone on a pedestal, he or she is bound to fall off at some point. It’s disappointing to me and unfair to them.
People are only human. That they try their best with what they have and when they can should give them a bit of wiggle room.
Maybe that’s where I am, Carol – one of my heroes disappointed me dreadfully on Saturday, and the feeling was mutual. We have forgiven each other but I doubt if we’ll ever forget. The upside is that I’m happier with one of my less heroic friends now, and that’s making our relationship more fun.
It’s been a while since I’ve been here. My hero’s – hard to say. I really admired my dad for being steady and balanced in life. That really inspires me because it is so important for others to have someone that is consistent and reliable. Now, as a father I see how giving and how much loving sacrifice that is for a family. Truly putting others first is simple hero behavior I really admire.
Welcome back🙂
Some of my heroes are the older people currently living in nursing homes. They inspire me with their resilience.
Don’t really use the word hero/heroes anymore (yet) definitely AM inspired by others!! A lot of the time, everyday people…..& sometimes- I don’t even know their names. What catches my attention, inspires me…..their AGAPE [the dictionary I have states Christian love…..I choose to see it as Universal love] = love as an action/love in action…..for whatever they are doing, be it with a person/people or nature or even some type of thankless job that has to be done, while taking care & attention in how they do it.
I am inspired by those who lift others up in any way that they can. I am inspired by those who take risks to follow their dreams. I wouldn’t call any of these (many) people heroes, just good humans doing their part, following their hearts.