11 - What Makes Someone a Hero?

 

“I think a hero is any person really intent on making this a better place for all people.”

                                                         -Maya Angelou

What is a hero?  The definition of a hero is someone who is admired for their bravery or dauntlessness.

I'm sure you all know these heroes: Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, Gen. Luna, and even the soldiers. And I'm also sure that you're all well-aware of the fact that they all fought for the sake of our country. You're probably thinking “So I have to die in order to be considered as a hero?”  Being a hero is not always about dying for your country or fighting in a war.  It doesn't always mean that you have to risk your life and you don't have to be a superhero. In fact, anyone could be a hero. You could also be a hero. I could also be a hero. We all could, but it’s up to ourselves. It’s our choice to become a hero. Heroes are not any different from ordinary people. We’re all the same. It’s just their bravery that makes us any different from our national heroes, but it’s not always about the bravery. It’s also about doing what you think is the right thing.  

Saving a cat from a tree. Helping someone put out a fire until the firemen have arrived. Helping out someone who is being robbed. Helping out street children. As simple as these may be, they count as an act of bravery. You could also give some advice to someone who has a problem and that is a heroic act because you tried to help, and helping also means saving. And those are considered as heroism. You see? You don’t need to be shot like Jose Rizal did just to become a hero. And most importantly, you don’t need to be known by everyone to be considered a hero. It’s not about the fame you get for being distinguished as a hero, but knowing that you did the right thing.

Like the quote said: “I think a hero is any person really intent on making this a better place for all people.” So it doesn’t only mean that you need to do something that would risk your life, but also something that would contribute to the world. Even if it’s just a very little thing.  Don’t you think that making this a better place is an act of heroism? Well, I do. I agree that making our world a better place is indeed an act of heroism. Because as I’ve said, you don’t have always have to do something dangerous to be called a hero.