Ordinary People: The Heroes Among Us

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The greatest of all heroic acts often crush the status quo and modern definition of a true hero. For decades adolescent children around the world have been conditioned to mentally define the word hero as it relates to comic characters. Comic publications such as Marvel Comics and competitor D.C. Comics have created cape wielding, web casting, and morphing characters that often transpose the understanding of what makes a true hero. In addition to comics, television has played a part in defining a hero by shows such as; James Cameron’s production of Avatar and Jon Favreau’s production of Ironman. Both of the aforementioned movies depict a hero as one who saves the world of impending doom. This false imagery and distortion of what a hero truly is leaves little room to recognize some of the most significant heroic contributions to society, especially those accomplished by ordinary people.

Consider the contributions made by the volunteers of Big Brothers Big Sisters. These unsung heroes invest time, talent and resources to help change the life of a child. The significant impact may never be fully known by the volunteers yet they pour their lives into needs of others. The knowledge of having made a lasting impression on a child’s life is the only reward one receives for such sacrificial service to others. Mentoring of children thru a difficult or challenging time provides a springboard for children to deal with future life difficulties.

Big Brothers Big Sisters also help children in decision making and career planning. The difference one person can make in the character development phase of a child’s life is monumental. For such contributions that alter the course of a child’ life little recognition is given. For very few people woul...

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...ass, the heroic act of organ donors is well received.

The streets are bustling with automobiles traveling to-and-fro. The stores are swarming with shoppers of every age. The schools are crowded with students learning to be productive contributors in a demanding world. Surrounded by a vast measure of people, often the idea of a modern day hero eludes many. Failing to recognize real life super-men, super-women, and super-children the definition of hero has been reduced in the minds of many. The term hero brings to mind one who has gained the notoriety of many; however, great acts of heroism are frequently carried out by ordinary people who are seldom hailed a hero. The cloak of normality conceals the contemporary hero, and the understanding of what makes a hero is truly obscured. The hero of this age is not one born of imagination, but rather one born of humanity!

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