Day 129d: How to make a Hero … (September 05, 2019)
“What makes a Hero? Courage, strength, morality, withstanding adversity? Are these the traits that truly show and create a true Hero? In significant part, no doubt. And yet there is so much more to the making of a veritable Hero; so much more that is still so well hidden from common view. Indeed, the real essence of heroism is as unappreciated today as many of the greatest questions are still answer-less – as unclear as ‘Is light the source of darkness or vice versa?’ or ‘ Is the Soul a source of hope or an engine of despair?’ So what makes a real Hero, above and beyond the aforementioned traits? Well I’ll tell you, and the answer is a remarkably simple one. A true Hero is not only brave, but he sets his bravery into motion at personal cost or risk. And a true Hero is not only strong, but he uses his strength to defend the weak and liberate the oppressed. And a real Hero is not only moral, but he applies his ethics in the most self-sacrificial of circumstances. And a real hero is not only perseverant, but he moves ever onward for Love … And pilgrimage is so much like real Love – and as such is often walked by Heroes. For in pilgrimage, like in Love, the walker must often go on ahead, even if no one else goes with him … For me, remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the bigger better choices in life – the choices that are more caring – the choices that bend my life’s arc towards the heroic. Because almost everything – all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these all just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important: that being, Love. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose, much less thinking you should ever something to gain. You are already naked, my Friends. There is no room or reason not to follow your Heart where it always wants you to go – ever towards the one in need nearest by.” ~ inspired by Fyodor Dostoevsky, Lailah Akita & Steve Jobs
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