Great Deeds

The making of a hero.

When we think of heroes, we often think of men and women of great character, courage, perseverance and strength. These are ordinary people who accomplished extraordinary feats. These are people who over time grew in stature, and sometimes, in fiction.

In fact Merriam-Webster defines a hero as "a mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability." Or "An illustrious warrior; a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities; one that shows great courage."

And there begins a problem.

If you ask a child today, or for that matter a contemporary adult, who his or her hero is, you’ll probably get a sports figure. But is he more a hero if he hits a ball over a fence than he who provides a child a guardrail? Strength of character has nothing to do with how far one can hit a ball with a baseball bat.

Heroes are not born heroes. They are made. They do not wake up one morning and decide to be one. They set out to exceed what is expected of them and become one.

Lincoln did not die to become a hero. He died to preserve a union. Gandhi did not fast to become a hero. He fasted to create a nation. Mother Theresa did not go to India to be a hero. She went and helped the sick. Pasteur did not use his genius to become a hero. He used his genius and saved the sick.

It is convenient to look towards those whom we do not know as our personal mentor and guide. How can you go wrong? Your hero will not know that you made a mistake. No one will force you correct it.

Do not forget that those who know us can guide us best. Do not forget that those whom we know we can guide best.

Look around. Look in the mirror. You might find one or strive to be one. Know that good deeds are done by those who provide for the least able. But the greatest of deeds are done by those who guide.

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