Heroic is the prompt for #lifethisweek and it started me thinking about heroes. Yes we all have our ‘heroes’ in life but really what does being a hero really mean?
The Merriam Webster definition of heroic is:
relating to courageous people or the mythological or legendary figures of antiquity :
exhibiting or marked by courage and daring
supremely noble or self-sacrificing
a heroic gesture
Synonyms such as Bold (which my friend Deb from Deb’s World’s selected for her 2021 WOTY), courageous, dauntless, fearless, intrepid.
All of these definitions and words we obviously relate to heroes who have attained some form of celebrity status. However, it can also apply to each of us – yes, us mere mortals can be heroes too!
Christopher Reeve, aka Superman, was dealt a devastating blow at the height of his career. His life changed forever when a riding accident left him with a spinal injury that paralyzed him from the neck down. His thoughts are inspiring as is is approach to life.
“A Hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”
― Christopher Reeve
Being heroic is not easy and Heroes need to find courage to
- be a lone voice,
- to initiate change,
- provide care, love and support to others,
- to step out of their comfort zone.
In other words – YOU – we all have a hero inside that just needs to be released and accept the challenge. For me, a hero is someone who leads by example and lives their life in an authentic way rather than by the expectations and stereotypes imposed by others.
Who is my hero?
My personal hero and always will be, is my Mum. Mum was always a giver and lived her life caring for others. We had a wonderful childhood, despite not having spare dollars. Mum made sure we were loved, cared for and although we never went on holidays, our school holidays were always full of fun and adventure. She battled breast cancer for 10 years, dying at 63 and during that time never complained. She remained gentle, caring and loving and not once felt sorry for herself. A normal woman, a wife, mum and Nan like many other women in a similar situation – ‘found the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles’
18 Comments
This is such a deep and thoughtful post, Sue, and a wonderful tribute to your beautiful mother.
Thank you for sharing this with us.
Thank you, Donna, I still miss her after 35 years. xx
I like this quote “A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is braver five minutes longer”. Ralph Waldo Emerson. I think a lot of people are heroes because they continue to do the right thing when the rest of the world is not. There is a woman asked about her grandfather who kept Jews working in his factory, and let them hide and sleep there in Germany during the war, and the journalist said she must have been proud he was such a hero, and she responded “He wasn’t a hero, he just believed he had to do the right thing. So he kept doing what was morally required”. While I would say risking his life for others did make him a hero, I see her point that his action was normal, and everyone else’s was not. I see it reflected here at the moment and it’s very saddening that people with throw away the rights of others out of greed or wilful ignorance.
What a great quote and I love the story of the man who had the courage to do what he thought was normal but others wouldn’t be brave enough to do. Thanks for sharing with me Lydia and have a great week! x
A thought-provoking question about heroes, Sue. My granddaughters play superhero games. They seem to have their version. Christopher Reeve’s quote reminds me how I know superheroes in my real life. Their strength during adversity and challenging times is an inspiration. I have briefly heard about your Mother before this post, Sue, and I already believed she was a hero when you talk about her. A beautiful, heart-felt post.xx❤️
Hi Erica, to me heroes are unassuming but quietly live their life, accepting adversity, working through it and not making a fuss. I’m sure we all have heroes in our lives and perhaps at times we are all heroes in our own way, too. Thank you for your lovely words and enjoy your week. x
Hi Sue, your mum is a true hero, being able to go through what she did and never complain or feel sorry for herself. You’re right, we all know everyday heroes, and they’re often not credited for being heroic. Regards, Christina
Hi Christina, I ‘m sure you can identify with Mum as you have had a similar experience. What I admired about Mum was that her treatment was in the early stages of research and I feel sometimes she was used as a guinea pig. A few things made the treatment more painful than it should have been.
A beautiful tribute to your mum. I’m ashamed to say I don’t know who my hero is. There are people who inspire me, who I admire, who are so full of courage one can’t help but watch on in awe.
Hi Jo, yes it’s been 35 years yet I still miss her especially when I have news or when I just ‘need my Mum’. x
This is a lovely tribute to your Mum, Sue. I’m not really sure that I have a hero, but you have me thinking
Thanks, Jen. I supposed it is difficult to really decide on who your hero is but I know that for me, it is those people who just go about their life in a quiet manner and that was my Mum x
What a beautiful tribute to your mum Sue, you always speak so lovingly about her and I feel your loss every time. Thanks also for the mention in your post, you are so encouraging and a true hero yourself 🙂
Thanks, Deb! My Mum was such a gentle person and I always felt, like I’m sure others do about their loved ones, it was so unfair that she had to suffer. At the time not much was known about breast cancer and I think at times she was more of a ‘guinea pig’ with some of the treatment. xx
Oh that’s lovely. My mum is probably my hero as well. Although both of my parents always put my brother and I first and did without themselves to give us opportunities they never had. And they never complained or made us feel we needed to be grateful.
Yes our Mother’s generation were pretty special weren’t they Deb. I remember coming home and there was a pair of black and white sling back shoes on my bed for the 6th class dance as a surprise.
It’s always a privilege when you share part of life with your Mum. What a beautiful, caring look she has on her face in this image. You certainly have a hero in her. She would be so proud…I am sure,..of all you are and do.
Thank you for linking up for Life This Week, and as we approach the changing month to April, may you have some good weather where it’s enjoyable to be outside. Next week, the optional prompt is the second of the Self Care stories. Are you self caring enough? See you on Monday 5 April for #lifethisweek link up. Denyse.
Thank you for your kind words, Denyse and as you can tell my Mum is very special to me. Thanks for Life This Week and look forward to next week. I’m loving the changing of the seasons. x