What_Makes_a_Hero_

When we think of a hero we think of strong, brave, heroic people that save others from all sorts of problems and disasters. We even think of Superman and other fictional characters and their superhuman abilities. But what is a true, classic hero' How does someone become a hero' Who are the heroes these days' I just think the word hero is being passed around a little too much. Maybe we just need to take a closer look at the definition and really think about what characteristics make up a hero. A hero is usually an ordinary person that sometimes does extraordinary things. Another characteristic is that they usually have good leadership qualities and are brave and willing to face whatever is ahead. A true hero, in my eyes, is really never a hero at all or they don’t think of themselves as one but they are just trying to do what is right. Heroes are just like everybody else. They don’t have super powers like Superman or Spiderman and they don’t have to be famous celebrities either. They just help out the people who are in need. Some might even think of their mom or dad as their hero, or even a teacher. Others might think of the police and firefighters as heroes because they keep the streets safe and save people from things that could hurt them. Heroes don’t have to be big strong people or be in a comic book they just need to be there at the right time and the right place. Even just going a little out of the way for someone makes a big difference in a person’s eyes. Heroes are friends, teachers, parents, police officers, firefighters, and anyone else who makes an impact in someone’s life for the good. Heroes are all around us we just need to take a closer look at who really makes an impact in our lives. Today, so many people view celebrities as the heroes in our culture but really that is hardly true. While there are quite a few celebrities who are upstanding, kind, compassionate, and do great things for our community, we give them a lot more power than they deserve or need. A hero, to me, is one who rescues you from a bad situation and makes you grateful for what you have in life. I really don’t see how celebrities accomplish this. Celebrities frequently ensnare society into believing that status and wealth are the two most important concepts. They just make people dissatisfied with their life and position so they really shouldn’t be classified as heroes. I believe, the absence of really extravagant possessions merely forces one to appreciate his or her few needed possessions, and to focus on life itself. We should not constantly focus our efforts on achieving as much wealth as celebrities. Similar to wealth, "status" is misleading. Everyone wants to be respected, appreciated, and even envied by others which is not a healthy habit and does not boost our confidence as much as we’d like it to. There are so many qualities and characteristics that make up a hero. Everyone has their own opinion of what a hero is to them but to me, sacrifice is a key concept of a hero. Determination and drive helps the hero get the task at hand accomplished. Being courageous is a classic idea of a hero and also in many fictional stories and epic poetry, just like in Beowulf. Dedication to one’s family or country is important in defining a hero. Valor is a word to describe a hero in times of war. Being selfless is a quality in a fictional and non fictional character. This quality is a key trait because you have to be humble and care about the well-being of others rather than yourself. Loyalty is a characteristic that is seen in a lot of heroes because it is the feeling of allegiance or the act of committing oneself to a course of action. The term intrepidity is a definition of a hero or heroine because of the immense amount of courage it takes someone to complete an act of heroism. A hero has to be focused to be able to complete their task. They have to have the ability to direct their energy to a particular purpose. Being level headed and patient also helps in tough strenuous situations. A hero with a conviction is what most people admire because they are so passionate about their belief and will continue to believe strongly in that principle. They aren’t swayed easily by others and the “norm” of culture. Perseverance helps a hero in tough situations to continue. So, as we see, there are quite a few characteristics that heroes can possess. The basic idea of a hero is that they are someone who is reliable and eager to help those in need. Without those people who are willing to step up and take the initiative, we would be pretty lost. God provided us with those amazing people who we have deemed heroes and He has heroes still in the making. Anyone could be a hero if they have a genuine love for others just as Christ did for us.