Are you Hero Material?
A week ago I had the honor of meeting Carlos Arredondo known for his heroics during the Boston Marathon Bombings on April 15, 2013.We were both attending a benefit in honor of Krystle Campbell who lost her life that day. I was struck by his humble nature and how grateful he was to be a part of the day and how grateful he was for those who were there supporting the cause. I was curious to learn more about him, so when I got home I hit the internet.
Carlos Arredondo lost his son Alexander to the Iraq war in 2004 and his son Brian to suicide in 2011. As a result of his personal tragedy Carlos has dedicated his life to veterans and suicide prevention. He continues to devote his time helping others and isn't that what a hero does? Helps others.
Author Donald Miller in his 6 Characteristics Of A Hero: How Many Do You Embody?, studied a bunch of movies to find commonalities between the heroes in them. In his self-proclaimed non-scientific study he discovered 6 of them. All of the heroes were flawed, doubted themselves, had a guide to help them along, got forced into action, changed in some way and experienced pain. I figure that's just about everybody!
So are we all really hero material? Many of us may never be tested in the way that Carlos was to find that yes, we are willing to risk our own safety to ensure the safety of another, but we CAN set out every day to do great and brave acts and we CAN aspire to develop fine qualities. We can put others before ourselves for the greater good.
It is our flaws that make us all just a little different from one another in order to offer something unique to the world. It is our self doubt that allows us to recognize the vulnerabilities in others. It is our willingness to ask for help that will allow us to HELP others. It is our own call to action that will force us to act. It is our willingness to change ourselves that will allow us to create change for the greater good. It is our own pain that will allow us to have empathy for the pain of others.
We can be heroes every day for our families, friends, c0-workers and those in our communities if we open our eyes and look for those in need. If we are brave enough to offer ourselves with no agenda but to help a person in need. If we are willing enough to put others in front of ourselves in order to help them along their journey to success, happiness and general well being.
We all have something to offer in this life. What is it that you do in your life that you can pay forward to others? What levels of greatness do you stretch yourself to in order to model the way for others who aspire to greatness? How far do you step outside your own comfort zone to inspire others to be brave enough to step outside theirs? How willing are you to share your secrets of success with others to help them be successful too!
So the answer is yes, YOU ARE HERO MATERIAL and your CALL TO ACTION is to get off your ass, get out there, get involved and make the world a better place one cause, one day and one person at a time. What an amazing RIPPLE EFFECT we could make in this world!
There is no doubt about it Kelly ... you are a hero!
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