I think about heroes from time to time. In part because my heroes change over time. When I was nine years old, Thomas Jefferson was my hero. When I learned more about him, he was my hero when I was 15. When I finally learned the full story, he was no longer my hero. My grandfather and father were my heroes and still are, but that is more normal I suspect. Robert Montgomery Knight remains a hero. I felt like he was an incredible coach and he remains a pretty good person. I do not, since wandering away from Jefferson often select heroes from the world of politics. I do, however, personally find the behavior, actions, and presence of Barack Obama to be another hero in recent years.
That got me thinking, what is a hero? Bill Gates is and was a hero of mine for many years. His willingness to do the right things is something that I have found impressive over the years. I do also have heroes from the world of sports as well. Ernie Banks, Ryne Sandberg is former Cubs players that I have long admired. Walter Payton is my all time favorite professional football player. Payton is also a hero of mine because of who and what he was as a person.
What is a hero? Someone that is exceptional or someone that behaves exceptionally? I find both to be true, but the latter is always the critical one for me. Jefferson didn’t behave well in the last few years of his life. Based on that he slipped from my hero garden. I haven’t really replaced Jefferson with another of the first US leaders, many of them had honor, but most of them also had a few warts.
The reality of heroes is they have to live up to your expectation.
i think nice and beautiful post
Awesome! Always nice to get feedback, thank you!!!!
Every mother in the world is a hero.
I would agree with the stipulation that we use many mothers, not all mothers are heroes.
I think we should have more than one hero in our lives.
I agree!!!!! There are those who guide us, those who support us and those who launch us! All are heroes.
Most of my heroes are real heroes- they come from mythology
Heros that don’t have to walk the earth with the rest of us are much easier to accept as perfect. I would agree with that Alex!
And thus serve as better examples. Much better than the wife beating, steroid taking, self aggrandizing sociopaths that generally pass for heroes these days
The problem with idealizing anyone, even heroes that do not walk the earth, is we don’t allow them to be human. Overcoming where you are can be a heroic act. The measure of a hero shouldn’t be athletic prowess. It should be the actions they undertake to leave the world a better place.
I agree with you entirely. However, true mythological figures aren’t meant to be human so much as examples…
But only recognizing the least of achievements as heroic demonstrates simplicity in the beholder
That is a very interesting way of looking at it Alex, I have to ponder that.
My understanding of heroes is that the state is largely unattainable, but we are only meant to strive for it. One of those “the journey is more important than the destination” type deals…
My thought was always, those who drive for a goal that is difficult if not impossible and in arriving at it, are for that moment a hero.
Absolutely! I call that sort of thing a triumph of the will…
This writing inspires thinking, especially in contexts of concerning the meaning and contribution of heroes, both within wide and personal limits, in many fields, directly and indirectly.
Thanks, Albert. I have spent a long time evaluating and moving around my heroes. I am much more careful now than I was!
In the context of self-development, personally, I’ve made a map to see how people or heroes have affected me to become what and who I am now. Magically that even someone “ugly” or “nothing” in society has influenced me through their thinking or behavior, in wise, unique, good, and worst.
When the student is ready, the teacher appears!
YEp! It is a realistic truth that we can realize
True! What we learn and how we learn is critical for us!
I am very happy and proud to have a close friend who is wise! You are my teacher and my hero too, Doc!
There is much to be learned listening to others. You’ve reminded me and taught me often to pay attention to the things around me, Thanks, Albert!
Totally agree, Coach! Thankssss…
I think we should have more than one hero in our lives. It is a personal choice and should help us achieve goals we set in life.
I agree. I am just much more careful now about the heroes I pick!
I have shared an article about Thomas Jefferson , I would recommend you to read it since he was your hero in the past. You may find something special in it and it may surprise you.
I would doubt your article could change my mind at this point. Jefferson promised his friend Andrzej Tadeusz Bonawentura Kościuszko he would free his slaves. Kosciszko actually gave Jefferson money to do so. He never did.
No Its not that , But it is about something very special and it would not change your mind but I ,ll surely make your mind.
sure its lunch time, I will wander over and read it
I checked your list of posts and didn’t see one about Jefferson I must have missed it, can you share a link, please?
https://virily.com/science-nature/get-6-billion-of-treasure-if-you-can-resolve-the-code-by-thomas-jefferson/
Your link has little to do with Thomas Jefferson other than an internet hoax that has been around for many years. People die seeking treasure like that. In fact a lot of people die seeking treasure like that.