Myths (collective beliefs in something that often becomes larger than mere reality) lead in time to legends (remarkable stories) which are populated by heroes and heroines. To wit --
* the myth of female sensuality is captured in the historic legend of Rome & Egypt with Cleopatra as the heroine
* the myth of the wild west is captured in the historic legends that made heroes of Buffalo Bill & Jesse James
* the myth of Camelot is captured in the legends of Arthur brought forward into heroes like John F Kennedy
So here's the question: Are myths lies? Are legends illusions? Are our heroes and heroines frauds? Here's the answer: Yes and no! Yes, by most scientifically objective standards, these are lies, illusions and frauds. No, by the standards of the human heart, these are all true and real and staggeringly authentic.
Make of this contradiction what you will, but there are times when some things and some people tower taller and more real than what smaller minds insist is reality. We need heroes and heroines to believe in, to embrace, to imitate. History reminds us that we don't follow titles, we follow courage...we don't invest in birth certificates, we invest in leaders...we can't spend all our time in libraries, but instead must spend our lives in causes.
This is why as a kid I dreamed of great heroes and heroines. Now as an adult, I've learned that some heroics can actually happen once you discover the headwinds of cynicism are often just that -- wind in your way!
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My heroes now are not those of my youth or middle age .. they are the kind soft spoken people who make the world a better place by each small action of caring and mending the tears in the fabric of peoples lives ... None of my 'heroes' will have a monument except in my memory and the hearts and memories of those for whom they made a difference.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this chance to say something about 'heroes' Jack.
Geezer, I couldn't have said it any better
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