On becoming Heroes

As a society we are very aware of being manipulated and used by unseen forces. Our theatres  are full of powerful images reflecting our aspiration for  heroes. There is a longing for people who are larger than life rescuers, that stand out as almost invincible!!  We look for those who have the capacity to draw out the unseen and challenge those who twist our lives to their own ends.

I don’t think that it is unrealistic to say  that our times have moved the whole world into a place where we are crying out for heroes – “saviours” who will individually make a difference!  I see hurting people’s hunger for someone. Who think , “Please stand up and arise heroically.” I can look around myself with the thought – “I wonder if this is the one!?”  Many even, have already selected their heroes and are ready to clash to defend him or her!

Yet,I am also aware that if I do not walk with an awareness of the forces that act upon me, I quickly become the puppet of any entity which may choose to take action to manipulate me!

A true hero arises not for what they can get from others but for what they can give to others.

What is curious, is that even as we jointly aspire for a “hero”, we have also chosen to frame ourselves in terms of personal inadequacy! The hero is outside – “not me”! “I just don’t have what it takes!”

As I see my world coming apart, I am more and more aware of the need for someone to “step up”. We need someone to save us from ourselves and our self made cycles that destroy.

I really do believe that for each of us, in our unique world, the answer to the hero really is Me – myself!!

What is encouraging for me is that so many are stepping up to take action! The reality that unless I act, no change will come is becoming evident across all aspects of society. We are shifting! This is monumental! We are stepping out of apathy into action. I can not give my action away to another. I must become the hero!

I am gifted with more potential than I can ever conceive. I can choose. I can be courageous! I have the amazing capacity to love. I can willingly give myself away! I am a wonder in the making, if I can but lift my eyes and see my own astonishing capacity to affect my world. I can step into an unexpected anticipation.

Yet still in the recesses of my mind – even as I take action, I find a conflict with my own personal history of failed aspirations. I am so familiar with those!! Yet this is the voice of the past not my future!

For me, there is something moving in our times that stirs up my own awareness of a spiritual reality that calls me into greatness.

Spirit is not about dominance. Spirit is about connectedness, about relationship, about mercy and love. It is about freedom and transparency. None of these grow without the soil of humility.

When I am thirsty for life, when I am willing to leave no stone unturned until I find vitality and life, I seek. When I seek, I find. It is a journey, yet the answer is always very near – not far away. It always involves a personal encounter with a vital and contagious organic truth. This truth brings life, laughter, joy and peace.

It is in quietness that I find the hero I have been created to be! It is out of quietness and peace that I change my world. Let’s continue to step into this journey. It’s time!

Author – Bill Tidsbury