A Hero

We talked awhile back about what a hero is. I have come up with my own things that define "hero" to me, and I will explain how each trait relates to my biggest hero, my dad.

Hopeful
A hero is someone who is always looking on the positive side of things, never giving up. People too often take the easy way out, by being a pessemist. Heroes are the ones that change the attitude of others by being hopeful and optimistic. They always try to see the lighthouse in the storm, instead of being blinded by the rain.

Love
To me, this is an important trait in a hero because love is the most powerful thing in our lives. Love can lead to amazing accomplishments. For example, soldiers fighting for the love of their country and the safety of the people that they care about, cancer patients holding on for the love of their family, and parents standing up for a child when bullied at school; those are all heroes in my mind.

Selfless
A hero would put others before him/herself always. They are not out to soley protect themselves or accomplish something for themselves, but for others.

Humble
Humbless is a huge thing for me. I don't feel like Hercules was a hero, because he was not humble. It is usually the underdog that is heroic for me. People should want to do something because it is helping something, not for the glory.

Courageous
It takes courage to be a hero. Often times a hero is usually confronted with a struggle that proves very difficult for them to overcome, but they do what it takes to get through it. They might cross a burning bridge to save a child, or it might be something less literal, like overcoming an emotional fear.

Inspiring
Perhaps this is the biggest factor in being a hero. They have to give something back to the people, and often times it is inspiration. If I learn something from someone that changes my life, they are a hero. I recently read a book by Scott Russell Sanders, entitled Hunting for Hope. This book inspired me and made me think about so many things that I could do differently to live a better life for myself and for others. Thus, this author was a hero to me.

Genuine
A hero is not someone who puts on an act. I see this fake attitude in many talented athletes. People call them a hero for being so amazing at running or whatever, and in front of the camera, they say how much they appreciate everyone's help and how hard it was for them, etc. While when the cameras are away, they treat people around them like they are worthless and not deserving of their attention. A girl on my team was this way in cross country in high school and she was just not a good role model because of that.

Accomplishes something of significance
This can be something small, or large, as long as it is important. Now, being important doesn't mean that it has to be life-changing for everyone. It may just mean a lot to one person, but as long as that one person was affected, it is significant.

My dad would never let me give up on something. I remember once I said "I can't," and he replied with, "Don't ever say you can't do something, say 'it's hard'." When I said "it's hard" instead of "I can't" it sounded so much better! He always looked on the bright side of things.

MY HERO
My dad, Gregory Kamplain is my hero. All of these traits were derived from thinking about him and how heroic he is to me. My dad was the most hopeful, loving, selfless, courageous, humble, inspiring, and genuine person I know. He was told 3 years before he passed away that he would be lucky to live 6 more months. My parents kept this from my sister and I because they didn't want us to panic. My dad immediately changed his life around and I was told later by many that he had said "I want to live longer for my family". He started walking daily and eating right. He really did love us. It took a lot of courage and hope not to give up, which is what many would do. The doctors were convinced that his heart was in no condition to live past 6 months. Can you imagine being confronted with that kind of thing? He lived 3 years longer than they said he would, and that is amazing to me, although I sure would prefer that he not leave us at all. He has inspired me to live in the way that he did, being kind, caring, genuine, and especially courageous. I want to be someone's hero, just like he was the hero of many.