Ripples #897: The Hero Within.
Aug 1, 2016
PEBBLE
I think a hero is any person really intent on making this a better place for all people.
-Maya Angelou, shared by Pete in Sedona, AZ
BOULDER
We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It’s easy to say ‘It’s not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem.’ Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes. -Fred Rogers, shared by Jamie in Michigan
PONDER
I spent some time with two of my heroes this weekend: Jason Bourne and Harry Potter. I realize that they are both fictional characters of course, but having the new Bourne thriller open in movie theaters on the same weekend as the book release of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” was an exceptional coincidence and made for a magnificent weekend.
Besides lots of chase scenes and fight scenes, Jason Bourne’s adventures focus on the challenges of recovering traumatic memories and deciding how much the darkness in your past defines you and determines your future. Of course Harry Potter had to face his own troubled past as well, and summon the courage to face demons even when others didn’t believe in him.
The plot twists they each face mirror challenges in my own life, and both Jason and Harry have helped me remember how large our internal reserves of courage and strength can be. On our worst days, we tend to forget how powerful we are; on our best days, we forget that unleashing our strengths often inspires others to rise up as well.
I’m going to jump back into reading Harry Potter (don’t worry, I promise to #KeepTheSecrets); meanwhile, I hope you can spend a few minutes this week noticing how much in common you have with your heroes.
Peace,
Paul
The Ripples Guy
P.S. I dedicate this issue to a couple of people I’ve been in contact with recently who are struggling mightily. I hope they remember that the level of difficulty they’re facing is a sign of just how tough life can be and not a sign of their weakness; I also hope they recognize that the tougher life has been, the more amazing it proves they are since: they made it to today. #uRock
