Whether real or fictitious, we all need some icon to hold up to inspire us to tap into the better parts of ourselves--to remind us of the qualities we are capable of exhibiting. We tend to make heroes of those who exhibit admirable qualities in the face of obstacles we're thankful not to experience. Sadly, in our comfy, mundane lives our focus is not on acting admirably in our day to day lives nor on seeking challenges in which to act admirably. So we rarely access those "rise to the occasion" qualities which lie dormant with us. But aren't those the same qualities that energize us when we activate them? How does it feel to fill a need--to use some wonderful quality within you and know you made a difference?
Who are your heroes?
Maybe your hero is an unassuming teacher who is commited to and patient with his students everyday!
Maybe your hero is one or both of your parents for uncommon sacrifices they've made!
Maybe your hero is a group of courageous Americans who stood in the face of certain death and boldly faced their executioners and thwarted their plans!
Coaching Exercise:
- Take a moment to think about or write down the names of those you look to as heroes. Really think about this part and come up with obvious answers as well as those just below your immediate consciousness.
- Next, identify the qualities these people exhibit that draw you to them as heroes.
- Consider how you can incorporate some of these qualities in your own life.
- Plan to do it!
Looking to add a little more satisfaction to your daily life? Look for situations, groups or occasions around you that might need you using your heroic qualities. Begin first with identifying those qualities you view as heroic, and then find the place that needs your heroic qualities. Anne Morrow Lindbergh in her book "A Gift from the Sea" suggested that we gain energy by giving deliberately whereas giving out of compulsion can be draining.
Do the boy scouts need a courageous adventurer as a guest leader? Does your church need a patient and grace-filled leader? Does a local team need an encouraging and hard-working coach? Does a nursing home need someone to come hold a resident's hand and pray with them? Could a classroom use a guest speaker on the real life application of the skills they are learning? Does your family need you to be your best self?
Good Enough
I've heard it said that the enemy of the best is the good. What if our heroes had just done what was "good enough" in their circumstances?
What would the "good enough" story of Flight 93 have been?
What would Mother Teresa have done?
What if Dr. Ben Carson's mom had not encouraged him to rise above his poor circumstances?
What if John Wooden had aspired to "good enough"?
Rest is essential. But "resting on our laurels" only renders us powerless and ineffective. I've also heard it said that we impact 250 people in our lives. How are you known to your 250? Are you using heroic qualities that are worthy of someone's admiration and your own satisfaction?
Coaching Exercise Continued:
5. What are the "good enough" pitfalls to your heroic qualities? What patterns or circumstances relegate you to the rut of "good enough"? How can you start changing those patterns that subject you to "good enough" thinking or acting? In what part of your life do you need to turn off your "good enough" auto-pilot?
My Heroes
I love sharing about my heroes. These people inspire me to rise to my own best self! Google a few of their names to hear their amazing stories or see inspirational videos about them.
Dick Hoyt--triathalon & marathon Dad who competes with his son Rick. Rick has been nonverbal and paraplegic since a birth injury. But his Dad never gave up on him. Now, Rick has earned degrees and is also an intelligent scientist in his own right.
Nick Vujicic--born with no arms or legs. Nick travels around the world inspiring kids and adults to settle for more of what they were created for in their lives!
Jason McElwain--Jason does exhibit admirable qualities. However, my heroes in Jason's story are the parents, coaches and school personnel who (over the course of years, I'm sure) inspired the students and athletes to circle around Jason, encourage him, love him, support him, and make a hero out of a kid with autism. For the parent of a child with autism (autism is at minimum an impairment in social interaction and can cause children with autism to be bullied, misunderstood and outcast in the worst social situations), watching a young man with autism hoisted on the shoulders of classmates as a hero is overwhelming to say the least.
What's Next?
Let me encourage you today to find a place to exhibit one heroic quality this week. 250 people are counting on you. Or perhaps, just one extraordinary-person-in-the-making who needs a hero figure.
Copyright 2009 Brock Resource Group LLC
www.BrockResourceGroup.com
