A Hero Is......

 "A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself."--Joseph Campbell.

There are many heroes in this world, many people who have selflessly given of their life and their time to something much bigger than themselves.  Our soldiers who fight for our freedom are heroes.  The volunteers who are working right now at the gulf are heroes. Our fireman, our police officers, are heroes. On 9/11 we saw many heroes.  Yes, they all truly are heroes...and there are so many more that the list could go on and on.  I am truly thankful for each and every one of them...

I've been reading "2012 and the Galactic Center: The Return of the Great Mother" by Christine R. Page, MD.  It's one of those books that I start and stop, only to pick up months later and start again.  I've never been able to make it through the book.  Not that it's boring; don't get me wrong,  it's not.  It's just that something always seems to come up and I end up putting the book down. So, I've picked it up again and after skimming over what I read before to brush myself up, I have come to a chapter called "The Hero's Journey".  I wanted to share a little of what I read.

According to Joseph Campbell, the hero lies within us all. It is that part of us that will step out courageously and enter into the unknown; it is that part of us that enjoys adventure, overcomes whatever obstacles are placed before us, and strives toward commitment.  The truth is, heroic acts do not always follow stereotyped patterns....especially when we view them from our soul's perspective.  In fact, courage comes in many forms...and the spiritual purpose behind our actions may lie hidden from our conscious awareness.  The author, Christine Page, provides a number of examples of which I have chosen the following few:

• The black sheep of the family who owns the darkness that the the other members of the family may experience the light.
• The strict and aggressive parent who, on a soul level, encourages his/her offspring to stand up and be strong in their own right.
• The mentally ill sibling who possesses the chaos in order to bring stability to the rest of the family.
• The absent parent who chooses not to adversely effect the decisions of his/her children.   

Although I know not all of you may believe in reincarnation, but I believe this is an interesting concept in regards to those family roles that simply defy explanation...such as, "Why does one become the 'black sheep' when they have all of the same opportunities as their siblings?"  In fact, while reading this chapter, I began to think about my own family...my mom and dad who had always been so cold and unemotional.  They were always so wrapped up in their own lives that they never had any time for me, and I grew up literally raising myself. In today's world, it would have been considered neglect to have a 9 year old child taking care of herself.  I loved them, but I didn't like them, and I vowed that I would not grow up to be like them...and, I didn't.  In fact, I grew up to care so much and wanting to do so much for others, that there were those who crossed my path who took advantage of me...There were many who did, but I never lost my 'heart'..no matter how many times I was hurt.

I made sure that my children never suffered the way I did.  I was always there for them...helping with homework...participating in activities. They were never alone.  The cycle of loneliness was broken. After reading "The Hero's Journey" last night, I began to question..."Was my parents coldness, their distance and lack of love deliberately chosen prior to my birth?  Prior to their birth? Was this what they chose so that I might learn how to live and love?  Did they deliberately hide their love so that I might learn to stand up and be strong?
We're they, in fact, heroes? Can you imagine what courage it takes to be the one who is resented or plays the part of being docile so that another soul can grow?   Interesting concept.  


Think back over your own life and ask yourself, "Who was my greatest teacher?"