by Jared Garrett

Created on: October 18, 2007

Hero. The word has been used for generations as a title for a person who has done something above and beyond the expected. This word has also been used as a title for more than one movie.

But what is a hero? What is heroism? Is it heroism to have special abilities that enable you to perform a deed that is greater than what others have done? Is it heroism when a firefighter goes into a burning building to make sure all are safely out?

Perhaps, but instead of using examples to define heroism, let's actually try to analyze the qualities that, when combined, make up this wonderful ideal of heroism. Let's examine fear and courage, lack and magnification, and finally laziness and diligence.

Fear and courage are often said to be opposites. The truth is that one cannot exist without the other. We would not know what fear is if we did not have a feeling somewhere that perhaps we should not be afraid. We fear the unknown because we feel we must somehow come to know it. We fear heights because we feel that they weaken us and we wish to become strong. Furthermore, courage can exist only in the presence of fear. If a person with no fear of darkness sallies into the black night, this is not courage; it is simply action. When we find and demonstrate courage in the face of, and despite, our fears, this becomes heroism.

Thus, "Daredevil: the man with no fear" is not a hero. He had no fear of anything, so he was simply acting ideallistically.

'Lack and magnification' is a fancy way of describing a person who has very little to work with, but uses what he or she has to do the unexpected and extraordinary. This is heroism: A person has a task or objective that appears out of reach with whatever resources are available. This person takes a deep, honest, analytical look at what can be done, and how it can be done. This person makes goals for how to magnify resources, and then does not give up. It is heroism to conquer daunting tasks and achieve the nearly impossible, because this magnifies the spirit and empowers the soul.

It is not heroism when a person with an IQ of 165 and plenty of cash on hand makes it to Harvard. It is heroism when a this same person finds a way to give of himself to the world around him, despite his privileged circumstances.

Laziness and diligence are polar opposites. Most people have certain lazy tendencies, but when those tendencies are conquered and a person diligently strives to achieve goals and dreams, that person becomes, in small part, a hero. Laziness may be one of the hardest human flaws to gain dominion over. We have limited energy and time, and we want to enjoy life. Laziness allows relaxation when we might not otherwise get a quiet moment. But diligence overcomes laziness through longer, steadier strides and consistent effort.

A man who has found a comfortable, normal existence with a well-paying job becomes a hero when he finds ways to use his time to improve his world. He becomes a hero when he sees that, with some sacrifice, he can change the lives of those around him for the better.

The truth is, heroism is a quality that is within all members of the human race. It is one of the singular qualities that elevates our race to something more than just existence and life, death and taxes. This is why we love to see heroes in movies. We love heroism. And ultimately, heroism comes about due to love.

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