Superman, Spiderman and Batman are widely known fictional superheroes in society today, but a real life hero is something that cannot be found within the pages of a comic book or on a movie screen.
The online dictionary defines a hero as a person of distinguished courage or ability that is admired for their brave deeds and noble qualities.
Going by this definition, the title of a hero is no longer limited to the individuals with superhuman strength that wear capes and save people from burning buildings, but allows for average everyday people to become heroes.
The first characteristic of a hero is someone who is courageous. Though true in some cases, courage does not always involve facing a physical obstacle.
Courage and bravery is displayed in everyday life when an individual is bold enough to stand up for what they think is right despite what others may do, say or think about it.
Courage is one quality that freshman Lauren Flueckiger admires most in her grandmother.
“My Memaw is always so happy. She doesn’t care what anyone thinks about her, and isn’t afraid to be herself. This is how I want to be,” Flueckiger said.
Noble qualities also define what it means to be a hero. A person of noble character is typically associated with integrity, loyalty, generosity and overall high moral standards.
Junior Jonathan Griffin recalls such qualities in his hero and former Scoutmaster, Clarence Stubblefield.
“He taught me about leadership, hard work and trustworthiness. He helped me become the person I am today. I will always be thankful to him for all the life lessons that he taught me,” Griffin said.
Heroes are by no means perfect people. They are people just like you and I, moms, dads, sisters, brothers, teachers and friends that are faced with struggles everyday, but make the conscious decision to persevere and grow through their experiences rather than be defeated by them.
With some sound morals and a little courage everyone has the ability to turn their lives from something ordinary into something extraordinary.
Who knows, maybe someday your name will be the one popping into the heads of friends and family as they think about the everyday heroes in their lives.
