I was really looking forward to tackling this line of the Desiderata. How beautiful! So true! So many different ways to approach this one, how on earth was I going to choose the angle I wanted to take? I write in Scrivener, a program designed for all sorts of different genres and can see the planned topics down the left hand side of my screen. The heroism one is coming! And then this has sat here, draft after draft desperately looking for a shape, literally for weeks with no progress. Every time I sat down the essence of what this line means to me floated agonisingly away out of my reach. Why is that?
It’s a serious question. What is it about the concept of heroes that is eluding me? Is it the cringe factor of the term hero? Has the Marvel universe co-opted the concept to such an extent that only overblown cape wearing superhuman fits the bill? Heroes wear capes. Heroes take on mammoth challenges and endure great hardship and then triumph, saving lives and changing the world and forever making life better.
This was bothering me just as my lovely cup of coffee and piece of lebkuchen was delivered by himself. I know. I’m so spoiled!!! Ian’s a fan of Marvel and a deep thinker so I sipped my cuppa and asked him to explain who his hero is. His answer was quick. I don’t have a hero. I believe in heroic traits and actions. Heroes are inevitably flawed. Heroism is an admirable behaviour that anyone can perform.
In true Ian style he went straight into the heart of the thing and gave it shape. Then I looked back and realised this has always been exactly what this line says. I’d written it down as and everywhere there are heroes. There’s my mistake right there. The line is not about about heroes at all. It’s about heroism. I should have asked Ian days ago. The behaviour. The act. Ah, missed that!
In my reading pile for the holidays is a lovely hardcover edition of Joseph Campbell’s The Hero With A Thousand Faces. It’s been in my ‘should read’ list for a long time but it just seemed far too heavy and needing far too much intellectual work for the mood I was in over the last year or so to take on. Psychologist and mythologist, Campbell writes of the Hero’s journey, the thread that runs through myths, legends and storytelling of all genres. Then I heard Ben Crowe describing it in his brilliantly accessible and understandable way and it made sense. I sat and listened to his podcast discussion over and over and ended up transcribing it for myself. You can read his words here. What do you think?
Here in Australia we are a free and easy with calling someone ‘a hero’. There are sporting heroes, changing the world with some laconic humour and prowess in the pool / on the field / with a racquet / insert sport here. We know it feels a bit cringy but, hey, we’re Aussies, right? As Aussies we also see actos of heroism on a daily basis. The volunteers who turn up unfailingly at every community event and staff the cafeteria and fundraise tirelessly and open their homes to strangers down on their luck. These people definitely should be given capes. The inherently heroic jobs that people step into and give over their lives to carry out. I could, and should, wax lyrical about the thousands of unseen moments of heroism that happen every single day in our service industries. The medical care teams, the police force, the firies and the ambos and rescue services and the counsellors and the pastors and … you people save lives. Literally.
On the 3rd Advent I’m willing to bet you’ve seen some acts of heroism in 2023. I know I certainly have. Anyone can perform acts of heroism. Heroism inherently involves an act of sacrifice – wellbeing, time, money, ego. Heroism tends to happen without a conscious need for glory. It’s a behaviour driven by knowing what is ‘the right thing to do’ and it’s for someone else. It’s not about me, it’s for us.
For me, heroes are people who had the courage to find themselves and then lose themselves and then find someone else to love.
Ben Crowe
And everywhere life is full of heroism. To those out there who has given their time and energy and sweat and tears to make something better for the world – you are seen and we are all so very grateful. Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.