I call my grandmother “Gog”. It’s a name born from my inability to say “grandma” as a young child. My best effort was “G-O-G,” and for some reason that name stuck. Everybody calls her Gog. She’s one of the most beautiful human beings I’ve ever met, and I’ve been lucky to love her.
Gog reads my newsletter, and will occasionally text me feedback. This morning she texted me, “If you need a hero, become one.” It nearly brought me to tears - not because of the profound truth and insight from that phrase, but because I know that in many ways up to this point, I haven’t been the hero I’ve needed. This felt like a “Call to Adventure” in the Joseph Campbell, Hero’s Journey sense. I’ve been called to be something more than I’ve been, something only I can be. Taking a page from Batman, it’s time for me to be the hero I need, not the hero I want.
To be a hero, one must think of himself last. He must make it his priority to serve the needs of others, even when the desire for personal gain is strong.
To be a hero, one must be able to say “no”. No matter the pain nor the temptation, he must be able to stick to his principles and commitments.
To be a hero, one must lead with empathy, not accusation. We all have different perspectives and different challenges to overcome. The hero’s role is not to point the finger, but to shine the light towards the right path.
To be a hero, one must let go of ego. The ego is what binds us to old ideas and keeps us stuck in a material, scale-balancing view of the world.
To be a hero, one must die. There can be no rebirth into something greater without death. A hero accepts the death of what was, willingly.
Am I a my hero? No. Can I become my hero? Absolutely. Anyone who reads these reflections is a witness to the process. Old parts of me are dying every day, and my reason and purpose for living are slowly coming into view. The beast inside me that is Modern Bronze is getting its legs. The universe is speaking to me through strange serendipities and circumstances, and I am inviting all of it.
I’ve always needed a hero. Different people have played that role for me at different times in my life, but I’m finally realizing that the real hero I need is me. The same goes for you. If you desire more from this life, if you dream of something bigger, if you wish to be “not the regular kind,” become your own hero. Do everything you need to do each and every day to live out that ideal. The world needs you now more than ever.
Obviously do not need to point out that you've made her millennia!!!!!
So blessed to be witness to this heroic journey.
So when you think the hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you'll finally see the truth
That hero lies in you
(Mariah Carey - Hero)
BTW - Love your Grandparents - I am Blessed to have become family through marriage.