Self-Help – Playing a Hero

What is a hero? For many people the answer can be as unclear as a river’s path or an invention that revolutionized an industry. A hero is an exceptional human being or a primary fictional character who, against all odds, successfully combats adversity in the face of unbelievable hardships through extraordinary strength, courage, or ingenuity. Unlike other previously only gender-specific pronouns, hero is frequently used to describe any gender, although hero only applies to women. Most people, however, associate hero with action movies or comic books where superheros are heroes. However, there are countless examples where hero can apply to almost any human protagonist.

Defining characteristics of heroes is as wide-ranging as they are varied. While certain heroes may possess one or two defining characteristics, like bravery or skill, there are hundreds of individual characteristics that can be used to create a hero. For instance, Batman could be considered a hero because he does whatever it takes to stay on the right side of the law, even if it means putting his friends in danger. Even though Bruce Wayne has not been formally trained to become the ultimate fighter, his determination to do the right thing has earned him the respect and admiration of his peers.

Defining heroes often involves looking at the qualities that make people in heroic situations stick around long after others have failed. One important quality is being able to see beyond the apparent, and doing what it takes to bring those needs and desires to light. Because ancient heroes were forced to adapt to their environments, it is important to find a way to see the world from another perspective. It is easy to recognize that a situation calls for a heroic response, but it may be more difficult to see that the situation is actually forcing upon you a series of self-imposed necessities. In this case, it may be necessary to temporarily overcome the perceived obstacles to allow room for your true self-worth. Ancient heroes had no difficulty overcoming their fears, so it is possible to stay motivated when the going gets tough.

Another quality essential to being a hero is having role models. If you look to ancient Greece and Rome for role models to imitate, you will have an abundant supply. Both the Greeks and Romans gave thought to creating mythological characters that would act out stories to help humans understand their world and develop the characteristics that would become important to them as they went about their daily lives. For this reason, both ancient Greece and Rome provide countless examples of the types of characters who were role models.

As you play a role model, you can draw strength from many different sources. The most obvious choices are movies, plays, and television shows, which can provide a rich understanding of how to play as a hero. Other great sources include role models that you see in real life, such as friends or family members. However, even though these sources are great, it may not be enough to overcome your own fears. This is why reading books on playing a hero are so helpful.

You’ll find several books geared toward helping individuals identify their unique heroic traits. For example, Jack Canfield’s master skill of writing about heroes, called The Wisdom of Being Heroes, provides clear definitions of character types that enable readers to develop roles and develop personalities that are most suitable for each hero they identify. Furthermore, these books also introduce players to effective ways of playing a hero and show readers how to overcome their own fears by using courage. When it comes right down to it, every individual has an innate sense of bravery and strength, but it takes personal development and training to hone those skills. In essence, every hero starts off ordinary and grows throughout their life. As you read about developing into a hero, Jack Canfield’s books will give you a clear understanding of what it takes to be a hero in today’s world.