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Being A Hero

Being a hero has a lot of different meanings. A typical hero is the kind seen on television, a smart person with the heart of a lion who everyone admires and looks to in tough situations. But what does it really mean to be a hero? It could be a relative, a celebrity, a friend, or even a child. What matters most is not the personal attention gained from an act of heroism, but the amount of good resulting from the action.

 Everybody needs a hero, and teenagers are at a point in their lives where they can become one, and when they need one most. I have a hero in my life. She goes to St. Joe's College and was one of the greatest role models I could have asked for.

 She was on my track team and every day she showed strength as a leader and as a friend. These are the types of people that should be sought out as individuals who teenagers can turn to when they do not have the spirit themselves. You can always remember their guidance and their actions, and refer back to them when you are alone. When the time comes to make decisions, having a good hero with the right qualities can make you a better person. Even more important than finding a hero is to be one. Younger siblings, cousins, and friends all look to you when they do not know what to do.

 We can all think of a time when we mimicked or copied someone else because we admired them. But to be a good hero, you must set a good example. Do not do anything that you wouldn't want your little sister or your younger friend to do. In their minds, if you think its okay, then it must be. There are so many advantages to emerging as an important person in someone else's life. The first is definitely because of the benefit to others. In order to keep someone you love or care about safe, you must set a good example. I know that my older friends would never, ever drink if I were around.

They tell me on a regular basis how to keep out of trouble, and they guide and advise me when they can. Learn from those people, and then turn around and do the same. Whether you realize it or not, there is often somebody who admires you and makes decisions based off of your actions. You may not even know the person, but being a hero does not mean being on friendly terms with them. My younger sister told me that there was a girl in her grade who knew me from my writing that I displayed at school, and who wanted to write just like me. I don't even know her name.

Always keep in mind that you could be a hero to someone, because another benefit of being a hero is being the best person you can be. Of course, every once in a while a situation emerges where you may end up like that television hero, just for a moment.

My friend and I observed a woman stealing from a mall once, and we caught her on her way out. She pulled a syringe out on us and threatened us with it. It was the scariest moment I have ever experienced. Then she thrusted her bag towards us and we took it back to the storeowner to return the merchandise. These experiences happen without forethought. We didn't make any decisions or think about what we were about to do; we just did it. It may have even been the wrong action because of dangerous consequences. The point is not to focus on the idealist hero, but the common everyday hero, the kind that everyone must be. The real heroism that matters is the kind you do think about, and the kind where you do things as a model for others.

A real hero is anyone off the street who somebody looks up to and admires. They may not be the bravest, the most talented, or a perfect person. But they provide models for others to follow, and in that way make a lasting mark on this earth. It's all about the difference you make in people's lives, whether it is one family member or a nation.

Be a hero in somebody's life, and make the good decisions. You never know if what you do is being watched, perhaps even idolized. You wouldn't want anyone to learn bad things from you. And when even you are getting lost and need another to look to, you can always find someone to respect. And that's the true nature of heroism.

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