I Need to Thank a Hero

The word hero has arisen around us quite a bit as difficulty has stirred. This reminds me of a class that really helped me understand what a hero is when I was a child. Perhaps a familiar assignment, we were asked to choose a hero. I immediately began thinking of Superheros – I’ve always loved She-Ra. However my teacher began talking about police officers, parents and even ourselves as heroes.

The reason I thought back to this is because my closest friend is a nurse and I read a social media post of hers in which she states “I don’t feel like a hero”. Long before the corona virus came along, I had always called her my favorite super hero. I have always had a special place in my heart for those who have committed themselves to healthcare. In many cases this can be a thankless job which is why I am writing this post. My friend may not feel like a hero, but I remind her as often as possible that she is brave, strong, kind and compassionate. She really cares and a true kind heart can be less common these days.

A basic definition of a hero is “A person noted for courageous acts or nobility of character.” In that sense every person is a hero as we stand tall and persevere the perils of life. I don’t know about you but I have been knocked down pretty hard. I have picked myself up and dusted myself off. I am pretty stubborn, and believe wholeheartedly that I can do anything. I have also found myself facing such looming disaster in my life that I seriously did not think I could keep going. I did not want to keep going.

I have the same beautiful friend to thank for carrying me in some of those cases when I didn’t think I could keep going. I hope you have a friend like her because I really don’t think I would be here if she hadn’t answered the phone in the middle of the night or listened to me weep or been there for me without judgment time and again. I had the privilege of knowing her before she became a nurse and I remember her long nights and weekends working a full time job while going to school. I love to remind her how far she has come and how proud of her I am.

Along the way, I learned something so important for myself. Sometimes you need to be the one that catches you when you fall. Developing that relationship with yourself should be a prerequisite for developing any relationship with anyone else. It is one thing to have self confidence, it’s another thing to have self love. The ability to keep going all by yourself helps you learn not to take things personally, to take good care of yourself and that no matter what happens – you got you! This is not to say that there is no role for friends and support from family. When it comes to heroes don’t forget to put yourself first. Very few people out there will ever do that for you and they shouldn’t!

My point is by valuing ourselves we can truly understand the value in others. I am so grateful to every hero out there – and that means you! If you are a single mom homeschooling children right now – you are a hero, if you are a hospital worker you are a hero! If you are doing the best that you can -yes! You are a hero. I just want to say Thank you! I love you.

There is an awesome man I found on social media who created One Million Acts of Kindness. A man who started riding his bike with messages of kindness against bullying, then converted a bus to continue his message through the Kindness bus tour. Now each day he stands in front of a hospital holding signs thanking healthcare workers. We all do what we can and I am so grateful this world is full of compassionate and loving humans! Never give up, please keep going!

Just to circle back real quick, for those of you who do not know She-Ra who did receive a revival recently! She is the princess of power and works with the force of light. I will always identify with that definition! If you aren’t in your power of light just yet please be forgiving with yourself. You may need to do some transmutation to get those lower vibes out of your way!