I Need A Hero
Dictionary.com defines hero as a person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life or a person noted for special achievement in a particular field. (These are the two relevant definitions, there are three others.)
Many articles have been written espousing the concept of the “new” heroes at the detriment of the old school. I believe there is room for both because we are a nation in dire need of some heroes. I also believe that America has plenty of heroes to choose from…
Whether your hero is an All-American athlete or your local fireman, it is imperative that Americans start looking at their heroes in a different light. By what criteria should we judge our heroes? I believe that it is important for my heroes to be bigger than life; they should be at the top of their respective game; they should hold dear certain values and principles that they would never violate. Above all, they must be true to themselves and their word must be bond.
In sports, we need heroes that live a good life off the field and totally dominate on the field. In politics, we need heroes who have the integrity, courage and conviction to do what is right and protect all that we hold dear. In work, we need heroes who will be courteous, helpful and efficient. In life, we need heroes that aren’t afraid to save lives at the risk of their own.
At a time when sports lifts up guys like Kobe and Bonds, we need heroes who not only play the game, but lead off the field as well. We need people to believe in when the game is on the line and in our communities after the game. Instead of flash and cash, we need sports heroes who are professionals dedicated to improving the game and the lives that they touch.
At a time when politics lifts up people like the Clintons, we need heroes who not only have charisma, but have integrity as well. We need people who have character as opposed to people who are characters. Instead of sex and tax, we need political heroes who are seriously dedicated to defending our freedom from those who would do us harm.
At a time when the workplace lifts up people like Martha Stewart and Kenneth Lay (Enron), we need heroes who not only have guile, but principles as well. We need people who are smart and compassionate as opposed to people who are ruthlessly conceited. Instead of greed and deed, we need occupational heroes who are capable of securing our future while incapable of selling their (and our) souls.
At a time when life lifts up people like John Geoghan (former Boston priest convicted of molestation), we need heroes who have values and aren’t afraid to take a stand for what is right. Instead of hypocrisy and heresy, we need real heroes who are truly righteous, full of integrity, and possess a moral and ethical nature.
It isn’t to say that heroes have to have superhuman attributes. I don’t need my heroes to leap tall buildings or fight crime. I need my heroes to do what is right in their lives. I need heroes who positively impact the lives of those who are around them.
Americans have it within themselves to act with such generosity and compassion that the likes of which can not be found elsewhere. We all have the capacity to be a hero. We also have the ability to fall. I’m not saying that a hero can’t fail, a real hero will take a failure and turn it into a positive. It is time we recognize our real heroes in this country…
MATT
