On this Memorial day, remembering September 11, 2001, I would like to honor all the heroes who gave of themselves to help during and after the World Trade Center catastrophe. It changed who we are and how we view the world. It continues to change us. It is also bringing to the forefront a new type of hero.
 
I’d like to finish the week with some facts about this type of hero emerging in the 21st century. This new hero is tackling issues that have no absolute answer. It is no longer the good guys versus the bad guys (think Rush Limbaugh).They ask more questions and are willing to see all sides of a situation. They do not polarize or accept the polarizing thoughts of others. They are prone to look at the patterns that connect us rather than those that separate us. They are willing to stand alone and say “no” to what society has deemed “success”.

Of course, the traditional hero still exists, is still necessary. That is the hero who struggles with internalized demons or intergalactic wars. He or she is a model of opposing societal injustices. There is a pushback to right the wrongs, the anti-values of society push even harder and the hero continues to stay true to his/her cause (think Erin Brockovich). This hero eventually does something, changes or restores what was seen as negative. In effect, this traditional hero does something that makes himself better or the world a better place.

In today’s times there is also this new hero. This is one who has a willingness to look at all the systemic influences that are challenging his/her way of viewing the world. He/she may not change the world; may not have great influence over others. What he/she does is look at the values that were spoon fed during childhood in the family and in the culture and takes a strong stand to say “No, it will stop with me”.

This new hero wins by rejecting. This new hero has the capacity to look at the patterns of the past that have dictated success: power, fame,            Mcmansions, hot cars, and all the extravagances that go with the “good life” and say “no”. This hero takes the time to question what is real, do mental and emotional housecleaning and lead by example, often in a quiet yet potent way.

It is in the rejecting that the new hero wins. Initially, we think the hero is strange, maybe even a coward. Why would one say no to the next big promotion, to the perks, to the fancy food, the fast cars, and the forever fun? We wonder what type of flaw this represents.

Yet, there is a pull in each of us toward this new hero. It is the pull to simplify, to ask ourselves what really matters. We wonder if perhaps we also, deep inside, want to give up the burdens of excessive possessions, false needs, myopic thinking without really considering the consequences of our behavior for future generations. 

The new hero is one who can look at patterns, think about consequences, and not be swayed by the tide of popular opinion.

Think about this new hero and if you know anyone who has been willing to go off the grid, to reject without feeling like a victim what we consider the good life, let me know. I would like to interview them (or perhaps I am talking about you) and honor this new breed of modern hero.