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Learning from our Heroes
We can learn several lessons from our heroes: We must be men and women for our times. From the conditions of our time we derive our strength and our defects. Thomas Carlyle said, "Society is founded on hero worship." History is the story of the effect of great men and women. They shaped their times for good. Occasionally we need to stop saying great things about our heroes and ask ourselves what they would say about us. Our heroes can become the verbs in our lives. Heroes must survive for a long time as examples of trustworthy values, in season and out. The apostle Paul deserves hero status. I know of very few men who have named Nero as their hero. Today we name our children Paul and call our dogs Nero. It's not being a winner today that may count tomorrow. We should know how to make ourselves feel small by comparison with heroes. By compressing ourselves in this positive, healthy way, we know more the essence of ourselves in relation to the values we inherit from our heroes. It is this discipline that always inspires and makes room for growth. Lives of great men all remind us, we can make our lives sublime. And, departing, leave behind us footprints on the sands of time. Our daughter Brenda knew how I enjoyed these four lines. On my study wall is a framed plaque with sand glued to a board. On that she pasted a footprint of each of her three children, made when they were very small. In her quiet, persuasive way, she was reminding me that my grandchildren's footsteps are walking somewhat behind my own. Heroes don't have to be famous; they only have to be heroic. Who are yours?
