Who is your hero? This question often evokes a number of responses. The typical answer follows the cliche©d format of “my mother”, “my father”, or that famous celebrity always seen on television. This type of knee-Jerk reaction stems from the idea that a hero is someone who is universally inspirational, and flawless throughout; someone who goes above and beyond to impress those around them, while maintaining impeccable relationships. People like these are the respectable, and more importantly, highly-recognized members of society.
However, there is no Lubbock that Justifies who a hero really is. It is simply a matter of opinion and the application (read discrimination) of “heroic” characteristics! You are not a surgeon, nor a cancer patient. You do not put out fires nor do you bring about Justice to criminals. You are not a supernatural force and you can’t read minds. You are, the average, everyday human being. Do you feel small yet? The stigma segregating the inferior to the superior is transparent in my eyes.
Stuck in the routine of life trying to get by, flustered and easily stressed, weak and disheveled, you re my hero. A hero is traditionally characterized by having an array of qualities: bravery, confidence, determination, endurance, dedication, perseverance, valor, sacrifice, and humility. Do these ring any bells? Is a gallant image of a superhero plastered throughout your mind as you dig deeper into the envious pit of self-deprecation in comparison? Do not fret. This seems to have been adapted as the default behavior.
The plethora of all-too-positive adjectives listed above are the most common traits that come to mind when conjuring up some form of a “hero” internally. Though, spite popular belief, these traits are applicable to you, myself, and everyone alike. We are brave for rising every morning out of our safe, comfortable beds and facing the unknown day. If you filled any other creature with knowledge on the mishaps and wrongdoings that occur on a daily basis, they would (if they could) regard us as foolish for going about our routines with the amount of fearlessness that we do.
Confidence is a tool some often struggle with, but we find confidence in the simplest of actions such as: dressing ourselves and accepting the Judgmental perceptions of others in consequence. Whatever daily stresses are bound to follow during the day, we have a certain level of determination to work through them and achieve success accordingly. Our endurance and dedication is what continues to get us up each morning and continue the preceding days work. Our valor fills us with the courage to handle situations that may (and always seemingly do) arise and throw us off of our routine.
Finally, humility, our most unique characteristic, shows that despite achieving, conquering, and spelunking, we never get too ahead of ourselves. And for that, all human beings are regarded as heroes in my book. One of the most well-known heroes in written literature was the character Beowulf from the Old English heroic epic poem consisting of 3182 alliterative long lines, set in Scandinavia. Commonly cited as one of the most important works of Anglo-Saxon literature, Beowulf is a tale that exemplifies the traits of the ultimate hero through and through.
The poem explores his heroism in depth through separate and increasingly difficult conflicts?between Greened, Grenade’s mother, and the dragon. He identifies himself as a hero through these acts of bravery and outstanding strength. Like the aforementioned characteristics that are applicable to you as a hero, you are equally equipped with the bravery and strength of Beowulf. With more real life and everyday “monsters”, you find the power to tackle them metaphorically in order to maintain your wellbeing.
Throughout the story, Beowulf seeks fame and glory in defeating the demons that plagued his city. While your demons may not be as extravagant as city-plaguing monsters from this epic poem, you are in no way less equipped, less glorious, or less strong. Beowulf near-vulgar levels of self-confidence hocked have been a limiting factor in his repertoire of skills, but almost shockingly, they never proved to be an obstacle in the hero’s life because he chose to never let them be.
Humans, average and spectacular, apply the same principles within their personal realms monotonously and without recognition. This lack of glamour may sound unfair, but it is this cruel mistreatment that has fueled space exploration, architectural phenomena, and the like. With life comes death and with death comes glorified memories. Human beings today of all statures, shapes, and sizes roam the planet and plague history books. The future will be brimming with heroes because the specifications for a hero are non- existent.
The past was filled with housewives, medical-breakthrough-creating doctors, and criminals alike. All equipped with a unique set of morals and DNA, humans have contributed and continue to contribute to society as a team. No one human should be regarded in a higher manner than another because we all face individual and untraditional troubling matters. The way you, as an existent member of the human race, go about your life fighting the silent, unknown fight, makes you my hero.
