When I was a child I never imagined being a fire fighter, a policeman or an astronaut. I did however imagine one day doing something great, something that made a difference, maybe even changed the world. I knew it was unlikely, I knew it I wasn't smart enough, strong enough or brave enough, but perhaps through some strange turn of events, it would happen.
It was never about fame or fortune, not even about glory, it was just to have lived a life that meant something to someone else other than myself for my own survival. As a child, my life was insignificant to all but myself, perhaps some things never change.
In my opinion, heroes aren't made by circumstances, it is by the choices made in circumstances. Most heroes in this world will live and die unknowns, never having their story told, never celebrated, remembered, revered. Does it lessen a life's meaning if the actions are unseen by others, where there is no limelight, no reward, no fame?
We like to celebrate achievements and we have created a world where we brand labels upon each other and ourselves to categorize and differentiate. We want heroes, we pay celebrities to stand in their stead.
I wonder in this world at this time, who would march beside Gandhi, who would stand their ground alongside Martin Luther King - if there were no cameras, no share button, no easy to personal brand the moment?
The protesters of today are filled with violence for the sake of violence, nothing too do with their cause. Solidarity with horror and tragedy is a profile picture update away, coloured lights on a landmark monument. Heroes.
It is interesting in a world where people stretch for meaning and purpose we do not even have the energy and drive to invest into the lowest levels of service for something outside of ourselves. We want more from their experience without the resiliency to endure even the slightest discomfort or a timeline that doesn't gratify our immediate needs.
No one cam live in the present moment while wanting but one can while working toward something more. The beauty of life is in the work is it not, just as the beauty of a sunset is in the process of the movement as the sunset itself is an end point, darkness.
Where are the heroes, those who live a life of decisions toward betterment despite the lack of accolades and attention? We have but an attention economy though, so it is no wonder we value attention seekers who grab the spotlight, we even applaud them as brave. Bravery is not what it used to be.
In a disposable world filled with disposable products and disposable people, no one need plant their feet or stand firm, face life as there is always somewhere wide to run. Avoidance, justification... cowardice? If it doesn't feel good, there is no value, if It isn't rewarded it is a waste of time, if victory isn't ours, there as no point.
Heroes die in battles, not because they are failures, but because they put themselves in positions of uncertainty, challenge, risk. And they do it for others. Everyone just wants a place to be themselves assuming that is what the world needs, as if who we are has value just for being.
Is this true? Is living in self-indulgence the answer to our ills? Is selfish the path to fulfilment?
It seems we are on the path to find out.
Taraz
[ a Steem original ]
(posted from phone)
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