by Aidan Sven

Created on: October 24, 2010

"A boy doesn't have to go to war to be a hero; he can say he doesn't like pie when he sees there isn't enough to go around." -Edgar Watson Howe

If there is one trait that all heroes share, it is selflessness. They don't put on a spectacular show of what they have accomplished for others to see and praise them, but rather use their accomplishments to benefit others. We all have heroes, and it is actually mentally healthy to have multiple heroes, who give direction, inspiration, and guidance. There are two types of heroes: public heroes, and personal heroes.

Public heroes, as the name suggests, are the men and women who are heroes to many, such as George Washington, Martin Luther, Issac Newton, etc. They are the heroes that we don't personally know, but are a positive example to follow. They are the heroes that we can turn our gaze to when times are challenging. And they are the heroes that have altered the course of history in a way that we can appreciate. Usually, they give "inspiration" and some "direction", but are unable to offer "guidance", which is what we receive from the other type of heroes, our "personal heroes".

Personal heroes are the heroes that we have a relationship with, whether it's a mentor-student relationship or a relationship between friends. These are the heroes that we can get guidance from, but more importantly, these are men and women that we can trust. If you evaluate your personal heroes, you will probably find that they are not much different than you, but they probably give assistance to others in need with no personal gain in mind.

Want to be a hero? You can be a hero as well: Do something for someone else. Be selfless. Be a meek servant. Make a positive impact in the lives of others. Do it today. Tomorrow. This week. Don't put it off. If there is one trait that all heroes share, it is selflessness... You can volunteer your services to do something nice, you can choose to be kind to that annoying guy at work, you could even tell someone you love them, but the next time you accomplish something, don't go around telling everyone what you've done. Supress it, and don't be concerned - others will notice.

"A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself." -Joseph Campbell

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