Music Series: Heroes

I want to ask you all to stop for one moment and carefully consider something; how would you define the word ‘Hero’?

The Merriam–Webster Dictionary (www.merriam-webster.com) defines the word ‘Hero’ as:

1) A mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability.
2) An illustrious warrior.
3) A man admired for his achievements and noble qualities.
4) One who shows great courage.

Now here’s another question for you to consider; of all the people around you, in your life or not, alive or dead, who do you think would qualify as a hero? Maybe there’s one person, maybe there’s many. What makes them stand out to you? What makes you admire them the way that you do? Do you feel you have it in you to do what they do or have done? It certainly does get you thinking doesn’t it?

The song that I am featuring in this blog is ‘Never Let Go’ by Bryan Adams. Some of you may recognize it from the movie ‘The Guardian’. And (on YouTube) it’s generally been used in tributes to members of the military as well as police and firefighters. These people tend to be the first ones that come to mind when describing a hero. I agree with this whole heartedly. It takes a lot of courage to put one’s self in a position that has an ending that can’t be determined. Plenty of people survive military service, whether they remain in the homeland or they go overseas; whether they are involved during a time of peace or a time of war. Unfortunately plenty of them also end up hurt or even dead. I myself have military lineage in my family. I have one grandfather who fought in Europe (for the US) during World War 2. I have another grandfather that fought in the Korean War. My father served in the early 70s and was stationed in Korea for a while. I have a cousin who recently served in the Navy as well as a family friend who served and was deployed to Iraq for a while. Even among our followers, we have a gentleman who has been fighting in Iraq. (We recently heard from his family members that he was injured and is on his way home.)

Another situation that brought forth thousands of stories of heroes is the always remembered September 11th attack on the US. This event didn’t just bring out the best in those that serve; it brought out the best in many “average joes”. People who weren’t afraid to fight back on Flight 93. People who weren’t afraid to try and help lead others out of the towers even if it cost them their lives. People who had the courage to fight their way through the rubble desperately trying to find survivors. Average people found the instinctual courage that the men and woman that serve show every day.

Let’s take a moment to think again. Is it only the huge acts that make a person a hero? Those of you that have been with us since the beginning may recall one of the first blogs that I posted telling a story of a man who did a simple act of buying a woman and her children a much needed tank of gas and some food from McDonald’s. (Earthly Angels, Posted in February 2010) That man didn’t risk his life and he didn’t save a life. He simply saw a person in need and came through for her. Some may not consider that heroic, but don’t you think that scared, struggling young woman thought it was? Sometimes a simple act of kindness can change things for another person. Whether it gives them a better day, gives them hope for things to improve, or helps renew some of their faith in humanity. Big or small, it can all be considered heroic. I want to challenge you all to be heroes. We owe it to G-d to do our part. Don't you think?

Don’t forget, at least one awesome thing per day. Be safe, be well, and G-d Bless you all.

K

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0s8Z4DspcO0