Who's your hero?

"Name two people, living or dead, who are your heroes," my friend asks us as part of an ice-breaker activity.

I’m puzzled. I don’t have heroes. I pause and wonder why that is. And if I did have heroes, who would they be?

I Google “hero” hoping to get some understanding of my no-hero syndrome. Typically Canadian, I feel like I may be thinking too highly of myself.

The definition of “hero” clears up this illusion.

Hero: a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.

It is the “idealized” word that stops me cold. That definition sheds light on my reservation around the hero word. Idealized is someone or something that is regarded or represented as perfect or better than in reality.

Perfect annoys me. My feet are firmly grounded in reality. Anything better than reality – I am not into it. It reminds me of how perfect the images are on HD TVs – they are clearer than I see with my glasses. And the movie seems all the less authentic because of it.

Life will press people down. And often, that reveals the authentic person.

Especially during difficult times, anyone who consistently, sincerely lifts people up gains the ability to influence, to lead.

What inspires me most? I invite you to remind yourself of people who have inspired you.

And I invite you to not be too “Canadian” and think about who you have inspired.

• People who are willing to do hard things, new things
• People who are prepared to put their fears behind them
• People who can see the other side of a challenge
• People who stay positive, optimistic
• People who keep their heads when those around them are losing theirs, to misquote Rudyard Kipling
• People who act with kindness when they have not been treated kindly
• People who love with abandon
• People who act with grace when they may not be inclined to
• People who don’t give up and people who “know when to hold them, know when to fold them,” as the lyrics from The Gambler sung by Kenny Rogers reminds us
• People who encourage
• People who see the light in others
• People who freely express themselves with art, with words, with food, with kind touches, with warm greetings
• People who see beyond the actions, beyond hurtful words, to empathy

Do you want to be a hero? Or do you want to be inspiring?

Heroes are rare and idealized – they must be brave and accomplished.

People who inspire can be found everywhere.

In your mind and your conversation, change the question from “Who is your hero?” to “Who inspires you?” I think you will find the list will be almost endless.

And finally, in your own way, who will you inspire?

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.