Hero?

I have been fascinated at the outpouring of support for Caitlyn Jenner formerly known as Bruce.  It has also peaked my interest, how people are defining a hero.  There have been many photographs of the new Caitlyne next to those in the military projecting that our heroes are those who fight for our country. That isn’t incorrect, but it is limited. Let’s pause a moment, shall we?   Can’t we have a broader view when describing a hero?

Personally, I encounter heroes on a daily basis.   Certainly, living your truth is heroic.  That can’t be denied, but let’s take it a step further.    It takes courage to step outside of our comfort zone and advocate for our beliefs.  It is a heroic testament to advocate for the voiceless.    I get that our society sometimes is limited in its thinking, but being a hero can appear different to everyone.

Being selfless is a gesture in heroism.   Those individuals who dedicate their lives to serving unwanted animals, the homeless, those who struggle with mental illness, those who have special needs, and the list goes on and on.    We are all heroes within our lives.   I truly believe that God created all of us to be heroic in some form or fashion.  It may never be newsworthy, but there is someone in all of our lives who thinks we are their hero.

Being a hero is really about empowering others.    By living your own truth, being an example of goodness, and stepping out of the barriers that seemingly limit us, we evolve into the person that we were meant to be.  That my friends, is courageous.