I have an unofficial niece (14 going on 15), at least I think of her like that. We were in a rock desert together, and challenged each other to write a short story (~500 words) on "a little yellow leaf". So, herewith is a tale of duelling stories.
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Quick, (can you) name your hero(s) ...
I was once being interviewed for a job, and was asked "So, who are your heroes?" I stumbled, but they still gave me the job. It wasn't that I don't have any heroes, the problem was "what do they mean by hero?", and then "which ones should I mention?" Hero is not a word used much these days. Can you name your heroes? I fear that now days "heroes" mostly means the people that we either envy or simply admire. Envy is when we're really wanting for ourselves what the "hero" has ... fame fortune, power, whatever ... they're not really heroes. Admiration is usually the case when people cite "Mandela", or "Mother Teresa", or some such person they admire (and no, Jesus does no qualify as a hero, because heroes can fail). But admiration does not make them your hero, or anyone’s hero. There are many people I admire, but sadly society doesn't really encourage having true heroes (unless its about making yourself your own hero). Heroes are often portrayed as people who do sacrificial acts of bravery in difficult circumstances - going above and beyond what most people would do. Real heroes are about heroism, and heroism is about what lies behind the action, about the underlying character that overcomes seemingly insurmountable odds in order to "do good". The act does not define a hero, the act is merely the (inevitable) expression of heroism. Having heroes is healthy, because they shine a light on heroism, and they give perspective. Heroes don't have to be of the same faith as me ... Christians and non-Christians alike can show true heroism, and (shamefully) often we see it more in the latter! Heroes explore new territory of what it means to "be human" - as we were intended to be - when daring and courage are needed, where temptation and evil is overcome, where great good can be done, and where failure is always a possible outcome. Heroes go into new lands that you never suspected you would face in your own life, but they go there and achieve something of great value. Then they come back to tell about the adventures to be found, and say that you too can have those adventures - if only there is the courage to do so. If you have a personal hero, that person is also a universal hero only if you believe there is a universal standard of "good" (and "evil") that everyone would recognize and affirm. Sadly, not many people believe in a universal good and bad; perhaps that is why there are so few recognized heroes. If that's true, then atheists can't have true heroes and still be consistent with their atheism. For someone to be your hero, that means you affirm their heroism as part of your values, you're actually affected by their heroism - to claim someone as a true hero means they've changed who you are: you've adopted a little bit of that underlying heroic character. Otherwise you're simply being a fan, like a supporter of a famous sports person or celebrity - you don't really desire their character for yourself! And we have enough fans in the world today. So back to my job interview; I have many heroes of widely differing character, deed, and belief. Some are dead, some alive, and some go unrecognised by most of the world. But their going where others fear to tread has changed me. My heroes include big names like Socrates, Chesterton, and Lewis, and lesser known ones like Gould, Moore, and Mitchell. None are perfect, not all share my world-view. But each in their own way explored a new land, did good deeds, and returned to tell a tale that changed the path of my life - changed it so that I added something new and good to who I am. Can you name your heroes (if any)? Are you someone's hero? Because that's what being Christian means! |
Why?
Probably the best therapy is to express yourself. Why do you think psychiatrists make you lie on the couch and talk, while all they do is murmur "hmmm", "uhuh", or "go on"? Archives
May 2017
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