| When I grew up it was easy. We knew that in | | | | world-wide basis. |
| the western movie the cowboy with the white | | | | Perhaps our attitudes towards authority have |
| hat was the "good guy" and the one with the | | | | changed the possibilities for heroism. What used |
| black hat was "the bad guy". We looked up to | | | | to be unquestionable respect towards teachers, |
| figures like Ann Frank or Jack and Bobby | | | | police and community leaders, has, in many cases, |
| Kennedy who died for their beliefs. We heard | | | | been replaced with disgust and filing of complaints |
| stories of valour from our parents and their | | | | of unprofessional conduct. It is true that "one bad |
| friends who had sacrificed through the World War. | | | | apple can spoil the bunch" and plant a seed of |
| We watched Terry Fox run rather than rest so | | | | doubt about the others. |
| that the next generation might not have to suffer | | | | I find it extremely sad when I ask my clients who |
| as he did. | | | | they have as heroes and am told "I don't have |
| Yes, it was easy to identify the heroes in society. | | | | any". Often the ones who previously held those |
| Sometimes we were inspired by individuals who | | | | positions fall from grace due to personal or |
| did what we could not or would not do - like the | | | | business failings. Those who admired them |
| first visitors on the moon or the recipients of | | | | therefore become disappointed and disillusioned to |
| Nobel Peace Prizes or architects of the site of | | | | the point that they give up trusting that others |
| various Expo celebrations. | | | | are genuine or will be able to maintain hero status |
| At other times, we were inspired by pioneers of | | | | over a lifetime. |
| the path which we chose for our own lives. Many | | | | Sometimes individuals are not classed as heroes |
| students, for example, decided to become school | | | | until they die. I remember the polarization that the |
| teachers because they wanted to be just like | | | | ideas and programs of Tommy Douglas created |
| someone who had taught them. David Suzuki | | | | when he was alive. A few years ago, however, |
| encouraged us to respect and protect the | | | | he was given the title "Greatest Canadian" for the |
| environment. How many guitars were purchased | | | | very things that caused the controversy. |
| by starry-eyed people who hoped to be | | | | I have decided that I don't want to be exactly like |
| "discovered" like the Beatles, Beach Boys or Elvis | | | | anyone else. Instead, I would like to incorporate |
| had been? | | | | the traits of individuals into my own life. I wish |
| And people didn't have to be famous to be | | | | that I had the voice of Barbara Streisand, the |
| examples for us. There were the farmers who | | | | intelligence of Bill Gates and the wisdom of Jesus. |
| demonstrated faith by planting seed in the spring | | | | Okay, that's not going to happen. But perhaps I |
| with the hope that it would produce a crop for | | | | could use examples such as the compassion of |
| the fall. There were the volunteer firefighters and | | | | Mother Theresa, the long-suffering of Nelson |
| police officers who risked their lives to protect | | | | Mandella, the peaceful methods of Ghandi, the |
| our community. Doctors made house calls late at | | | | oratorical skills Martin Luther King Junior and the |
| night when their own health was in jeopardy | | | | laughter of my two-year-old granddaughter to |
| because of fatigue. There were people who left | | | | shape my own life. |
| our little town and made it "big" in the city. And | | | | This week, I challenge you to list the people who |
| those who stayed who taught us about family, | | | | have been heroes for you. Why and how did |
| work and personal values. | | | | they inspire you? Better yet, think about the |
| Maybe part of the reason that we could honour | | | | things that you might do which may result |
| heroes was that we didn't know everything about | | | | someday in someone saying to you "You are my |
| the individuals we respected. There was | | | | hero". |
| something to be said about simplicity. Today, it is | | | | Everyone needs a hero and it seems that there |
| only a matter of minutes until technology | | | | aren't as many around as their used to be. Why |
| broadcasts the sins or failings of people on a | | | | not be one? |