Category Archives: Hero

Be Your Own Hero

17 Monday Mar 2014

Posted by in Hero, Inspiration, Writing

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It’s amazing how four simple words can resonate with such great intensity:

Be your own hero.

Hugh Jackman as The WolverineI tweeted those words, because they felt *solid* and *true* but without knowing why. I certainly wasn’t thinking or feeling like the Wolverine.

But as with so many other tweets, once I hit Send, the words were forgotten.

That is, until the retweets flooded in. Apparently those words felt solid and true to a number of others.

But WHY?

What does it mean to ‘Be Your Own Hero’?

That’s the question I asked myself when I saw the response to that tweet. And not in the Hollywood-action-film-hero context either. Even though that’s the first imagery that usually comes to mind.

Heros_1

Characters who travel the Hero’s Journey in film and fiction provide valid role models on “how to become a hero” on a number of levels.

But “being your own hero” goes deeper.

It’s not about storming the castle, taking down the evil warlord, or finding the golden fleece. In fact, the exact criteria will vary as wildly as there are people in the world.

I can’t tell you how to be your own hero. But after a much thought, I defined a list of criteria for myself…

How to ‘Be My Own Hero’ — 5 Easy Steps

  1. Take that one thing I have to accomplish or “I won’t be able to live with  myself”, and make it happen. Against all odds.
  2. Do what I’m most afraid of. Because that’s what I most need to learn.
  3. Strive for excellence. Never settle for mediocrity.
  4. Stand up for myself. But more important, stand up for those who may be weaker and need the support.
  5. Live my dream to its fullest … remaining fluid, embracing life circumstances with open arms, while still holding true to the vision. Because that’s the stuff real dreams are made of.

What’s on your “Be your own hero” list?

A 50 Year Secret that Saved 669 Lives

27 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by in Amazing but true!, Hero, Inspiration

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Project Kindertransport

Nicholas WintonIn 1938, a British gentleman by the name of Nicholas Winton received a call from a friend while he was on ski trip in Switzerland. His friend urged him to come to Prague to participate in a “most interesting assignment.” Mr. Winton obliged, and went to  Czechoslovakia to volunteer at a refugee camp.

At that time, Hitler and his troops were raging through Eastern Europe. Mr. Winton soon realized the danger the children were in. Mr. Winton set out to save the lives of 669 children, finding them safe passage out of Czechoslovakia and homes in the cities where they went to live. This endeavor was dubbed Project Kindertransport.

Fast forward fifty years.

Mr. Winton never told anyone about his efforts to save those children’s lives. No one would have known what he had done either, if his wife hadn’t discovered the documents in their attic—quite by accident. Realizing their importance, she submitted the documents to the BBC. The “thankful” reunion documented in the following video was the result. You can read the entire amazing story of Project Kinderstansport here.

The Infectious Power of “Good”

Since news of Sir Winton’s deeds came to light in 1988, his story has inspired people around the globe to make a positive difference in whatever way they can. The following CNN video is evidence of the infectious power of “good”…

No Ordinary Moments

The circumstances in our lives may not be as dramatic as those of Nicholas Winton and the children he helped. Still, that doesn’t mean we have any less to be thankful for. Quite the contrary. Mr. Winton’s story reminds me to be thankful for all the people, situations, and things in my life. Because in truth, there are no ordinary moments. I need to remember to be grateful for all the blessings in this wonderful life. Every. Single. Day.

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR today?

Unlikely Heroes ~ and a WINNER!

28 Friday Sep 2012

Posted by in Hero, Remarkable Animals, Story

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A young pig saves a baby goat

I saw an amazing video clip that touched my heart and made me laugh, all at the same time. You might have seen it too, since I tweeted the YouTube link. It was of a young pig rescuing a baby goat that was flailing in a small pond.

It was remarkable, because of the unlikely friendship (like in the book by that very name), and an even more unlikely hero. Watch the video and see for yourself.

Real-Life can be more amazing than fiction

Since posting this, I’ve seen comments around the web that this video was staged.  Some even pointed out how the video had been altered, Photoshopping out a person who was restraining the goat in the water. Looking at the video more closely, I see this could be true. That said, I don’t doubt that the pig jumped into the water to save the baby goat (as shown) when the original situation arose. This video reenacts the event. Pigs are very smart. It’s a great story no matter what!

Unlikely Heroes in Fiction

That video got me to thinking about unlikely heroes in fiction, and how those stories stayed with me. They were stories I would read again and again. Characters such as:

In wondering why these stories had such an impact, I realized that it was because the heroes were so ordinary. I could relate to them (even though they weren’t human), and their actions. As they grew out of ordinariness and into heroes, I followed. Those stories showed me how live as a hero in the real world.

Animals and spiders aren’t the only unlikely heroes. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is an ordinary teenager at the beginning of her journey, a cheerleader no less. Most all the superhero origin myths begin with an ordinary person who encounters circumstances that change his or her life in extraordinary ways.

Who’s your favorite Unlikely Hero?

Inquiring minds want to know!

Now for the “52 Reasons to Hate My Father” WINNER!!!

I put  the names of everyone who left a comment on the “52 Reasons to Hate My Father” post in a hat, shook it like there was no tomorrow, then reached in and pulled one out…

Maestro, a drum roll please!

*****
*** Tosses copious amounts of sparkly confetti ***

*****
And the winner is…

KIM GRIFFIN

(Happy Dance)

!!!!!!!!!

Who’s Your Hero?

27 Monday Aug 2012

Posted by in Badass, Blake Snyder, Hero, Inspiration, Story

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7 Great Characters = Heroic Inspiration

Two friends recently honored me with the Very Inspirational Blogger Award.  I owe a special thank you to Janice Hall Check and Ellen Gregory for this nomination, because they are both true inspirations to me.

The thing is, I feel like a poser accepting this award. Maybe because my inspiration comes from someone else. My heroes to be exact. Let me explain. In a recent blog post Lisa Cron talked about her book “Wired for Story” and the scientific evidence that proves we all are. Wired for story that is. We actually learn from the characters in stories because we…

…turn to story to teach us the way of the world…

So I’m not the least bit ashamed to introduce you to the characters who’ve inspired me the most … the good … the badass … and the ugly.

The GOOD…

This is the Fool Triumphant, the good-hearted soul who bungles through life, yet things work out despite the comic results of their actions. Always a good friend, they’re often helpful to a fault.

1. Pooh, in Winnie the Pooh, is a perfect Fool Triumphant, and one of my first and favorite heroes. Image from Wikipedia

2. Forrest Gump (played by Tom Hanks) is a modern, humanized version of Pooh, especially as portrayed in the film adaptation of the story. Forrest’s innocence keeps harm at bay, even when he’s thrown into the most dangerous situations at the height of the Vietnam war. His guileless simplicity prevents him from holding grudges or judging others. He loves is friend Jenny no matter what she does or how long she stays away. There’s a lot to be learned from the unconditional love in this character’s actions.

The BADASS…

These heroes don’t need much of an introduction. We know and love them because they forsake their personal desires, safety, and gain for the greater good.

3. Trinity, from The Matrix, 4. Joan of Arc, 5. Aragorn, from The Lord of the Rings trilogy 6. Neo, from The Matrix

the UGLY…

The Anti-Hero is a tricky one, because he’s flawed to a fault. So for us to care about this hero, there has to be something about him that we can empathize with on some level. Anne Lower’s blog post about developing the anti-hero in her series explains this character perfectly:

Give ‘em a limp and an eyepatch!” was one of Blake’s favorite phrases. And, by that, he meant try loading your character up with problems, challenges to face, physical quirks, troubled pasts that would work to help the audience identify with or be interested in your hero’s (or heroine’s) journey.

We want this ugly hero to win, despite what he’s done. My favorite anti-hero is …

7. Captain Jack Sparrow, played by Johnny Depp in the Pirates of the Caribbean series (Walt Disney Pictures). What he lacks in a limp and an eye patch, he more than makes up for with swagger and a sword. I admit Johnny Depp can never be ugly, even with eyeliner, dread locks, and a braided beard. But Jack Sparrow is a pirate, who by definition pillages, plunders, and even murders when necessary. What’s endearing about Jack Sparrow, is that he acts honorably toward his friends and ship mates, even when he doesn’t really want to.

Blake Snyder and the “Superhero”

Writers That Inspire

The following authors and screenwriters have been a true inspiration to me … what they write, who they are, and their personal writing journeys …

So… Who’s your Favorite hero?