Personal Heroes

When in the darkest of times, the loneliest of times, or just in times of need, we find someone willing to lend a hand, and help us in spite of ourselves being overcome by doubts. When we find someone who will gently listen to us, or provide a friendly and thoughtful advice, or someone who's presence will inspire us in some important way, then we will know that we've met a hero.

No cape, no costume, no super powers, just the sincere willingness to help or assist another human being in times of need. This is to them, our own personal Heroes.

These are the people who we think of even years after meeting them. Some of them are life long friends, while others can be just a passerby in our lives. Some might be long gone even before we were born, but their message and essence reached us through their writings. Some of them have flipped a switch inside of us, and we were finally able to see and understand. Some of them are light bearers, and are always there, long life companions, providers of clarity. And with others, although we've never met them in person, we get the chance to follow them on twitter and instagram, or see them on their youtube channel and that is wonderful.

What do these people have that gave them the power to stir our waters deep and shape our character? Is it clarity, is it authenticity, is it truthfulness, is it passion, is it kindness and compassion, is it a combination of those, or is it something else entirely? This is a question that each of us has to answer individually.

I remember a great deal of such people whom I met along the way, I keep them close to my heart and in high regards. One of them influenced my life immensely, and I shall call him "W". I met W while I was at the borderland of adolescence, W was older than me with 6 or 7 years. I remember how after a game of soccer with him and some of my childhood friends, on our way back home he spoke very passionate and highly about religion. Now of course I grew up and made my own decisions and view about this subject, but that is not the point of discussion now.

What was important and stayed with me for so many years was the way of discussing a subject. The way he was dwelling into a subject and analyze it. Deep thinking on all kinds of subjects, trying to understand some particular Dogma, or some people and their actions. I was amazed and attracted by this skill of his that I did not encounter (or recognize) up until then. And although I was not actively participating with arguments in the discussions, I was curiously listening and asking questions. His way of being and thinking influenced my own way of being and approaching a subject, trying to understand the motives surrounding a certain subject and see the bigger picture, more than anyone else. For this I can be forever be grateful.

Other people might have other heroes, each with their own personal ones, and this is how it should be. What a wonderful thing to have the honor and privilege to have met such people along the way, and what can be even more wonderful is that we have the chance to become such heroes ourselves.

Whoever they may be and wherever they may be, let our gratefulness and appreciation reach them even if only in thought.