Sunday, November 14, 2004
Looking at a recent issue of Vanity Fair, I stumbled upon a short feature on Laird Hamilton. One thing we have in common? The love of coffee - "a necessary extravagance".
Getting back to my point, Laird Hamilton is a superhero incarnate. I was wondering if he's ever been approached to star in a Hollywood feature film, maybe of the comic superhero, Silver Surfer. In addition to looking and acting the part of a supreme, super-hero athlete, he's married to Gabrielle Reese. Gabby, a beach volleyball queen, model and fitness magazine contributor, is something fabulous in her own right. They make quite a stellar and inspiring couple.
This pair causes me to wonder about the concept of heroes. I know they're not political icons, but they are physical ones. Everyone values different things, which means everyone has a different idea of what a hero means. Who are our heroes today? Isn't it important to have a hero in order to aspire to something greater than oneself?
In addition to the Vanity fair mini-feature, I read a recent article by Jeremy Copeland. The celebrated death of the Indian bandit, Veerappan, stirred up a bizarre frenzy among his loyalists. Though his crimes by far outweigh his Robin Hood-like accomplishments, people considered him to be a hero.
Growing up, I never felt I had a hero, even though I eagerly searched for one. I think the closest I ever came to finding one was at the age of 10, when I attended Terry Fox Elementary. At that school, we watched a documentary of the school's namesake every year. Maybe, deep down, he's the reason I wanted to run. More and more, I find myself drawn to Terry Fox's story and his purpose - so simple. Did you know he ran a full marathon a day?
On a more frequent basis, I think about the importance of heroes in my life. If only to incite some 'reality' to our dreams, which can often feel intangible. What role to heroes play in our culture - our greater Canadian culture as well as our own personal one?
Getting back to my point, Laird Hamilton is a superhero incarnate. I was wondering if he's ever been approached to star in a Hollywood feature film, maybe of the comic superhero, Silver Surfer. In addition to looking and acting the part of a supreme, super-hero athlete, he's married to Gabrielle Reese. Gabby, a beach volleyball queen, model and fitness magazine contributor, is something fabulous in her own right. They make quite a stellar and inspiring couple.
This pair causes me to wonder about the concept of heroes. I know they're not political icons, but they are physical ones. Everyone values different things, which means everyone has a different idea of what a hero means. Who are our heroes today? Isn't it important to have a hero in order to aspire to something greater than oneself?
In addition to the Vanity fair mini-feature, I read a recent article by Jeremy Copeland. The celebrated death of the Indian bandit, Veerappan, stirred up a bizarre frenzy among his loyalists. Though his crimes by far outweigh his Robin Hood-like accomplishments, people considered him to be a hero.
Growing up, I never felt I had a hero, even though I eagerly searched for one. I think the closest I ever came to finding one was at the age of 10, when I attended Terry Fox Elementary. At that school, we watched a documentary of the school's namesake every year. Maybe, deep down, he's the reason I wanted to run. More and more, I find myself drawn to Terry Fox's story and his purpose - so simple. Did you know he ran a full marathon a day?
On a more frequent basis, I think about the importance of heroes in my life. If only to incite some 'reality' to our dreams, which can often feel intangible. What role to heroes play in our culture - our greater Canadian culture as well as our own personal one?
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Wow - I can't believe you made a post with a reference to my favorite comic hero - Silver Surfer...there is a great Joe Satriani song & album inspired by the comic as well...Surfing With The Alien!
Now on to responding to your query re: heroes of the day? Personally, I'm not sure I respond so much to heroes as I do to mentors but that may be semantics. My grandfather definitely was and continues to be (even though died a number of years ago) one of the greatest influences in my life. He lived his life to the fullest, was a family man, a reader of biographies, he travelled the world, & had faith that he put into action.
If I think of the term hero - I do think of my favorite NFL quarterback - Brett Favre (GB Packers) who consistently beats incredible odds in the plays he runs. A highlight game for me was an emotional win the day after his father died.
The above are all personal heroes I suppose - Terry Fox does come to mind from a Canadian perspective, as does Wayne Gretzky, but in all honesty I think personal heroes have way more influence than national or cultural ones.
G
Now on to responding to your query re: heroes of the day? Personally, I'm not sure I respond so much to heroes as I do to mentors but that may be semantics. My grandfather definitely was and continues to be (even though died a number of years ago) one of the greatest influences in my life. He lived his life to the fullest, was a family man, a reader of biographies, he travelled the world, & had faith that he put into action.
If I think of the term hero - I do think of my favorite NFL quarterback - Brett Favre (GB Packers) who consistently beats incredible odds in the plays he runs. A highlight game for me was an emotional win the day after his father died.
The above are all personal heroes I suppose - Terry Fox does come to mind from a Canadian perspective, as does Wayne Gretzky, but in all honesty I think personal heroes have way more influence than national or cultural ones.
G
G,
I see what you mean about personal heroes. I wonder if my tendency to overanalyze kept me from making a hero out of someone close to me. I think this is where my idealism and realism contradict one another (we've had this discussion before). I tend to idealize someone that I have limited knowledge about. Whereas, a potential personal hero would be overly real, making them fallible and human to the point of un-hero-ing. It's terrible to admit, isn't it?
Over the past few years, I've come to understand that the willingness to make mistakes can be heroic, rather than the attempt to be perfect. Isn't this a strange irony?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on heroes. I know that this is a topic that is overwhelming and ever-changing, dependent on where one is in life.
- E
I see what you mean about personal heroes. I wonder if my tendency to overanalyze kept me from making a hero out of someone close to me. I think this is where my idealism and realism contradict one another (we've had this discussion before). I tend to idealize someone that I have limited knowledge about. Whereas, a potential personal hero would be overly real, making them fallible and human to the point of un-hero-ing. It's terrible to admit, isn't it?
Over the past few years, I've come to understand that the willingness to make mistakes can be heroic, rather than the attempt to be perfect. Isn't this a strange irony?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on heroes. I know that this is a topic that is overwhelming and ever-changing, dependent on where one is in life.
- E
Interestingly, today in the college class I am teaching, I asked my students what the three most influential challenges or sermons were? I saw a lot of blank stares (admittedly, I was setting them up). Then I asked them to write down the names of three people who had a major influence in their life. It didn't take most people long to write a name down. I then asked them if any of the names of influential people were famous. None raised their hands. How many of these people were either friends or family? 50% responded with friends and the remainder said family. I also asked how many of these influencers were older than them - and everyone raised their hands in the class of 12.
I then asked them why these people were influential in their life? Answers included - they cared about me, their character impressed me, they were willing to back me up 100% even if I messed up, & they were passionate about what they believed.
Who are our heroes? People willing to listen, support, & care for us. People of character, who live out what they believe! People of passion!
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I then asked them why these people were influential in their life? Answers included - they cared about me, their character impressed me, they were willing to back me up 100% even if I messed up, & they were passionate about what they believed.
Who are our heroes? People willing to listen, support, & care for us. People of character, who live out what they believe! People of passion!
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