By Dina Evan, Ph.D

Most of us are holding on by the seat of our pants today, waiting for the next feud, flood or failure of our government to return to compassion and humanity. This is a difficult time, but what do we do besides wait for someone else to fix it?  What if something bigger than that is going on here? What if you knew this time is a reminder the only way things change is through us? What if the whole time we were saying let’s leave it up to God, God was saying, Okay, but how about a little help from you!
I think this is a great time! Because it’s fun or easy? No! But because it is calling each of us to step into our personal hero or heroine and change something. Don’t gasp. You don’t have to start a march or craft an amendment. However, what we each of us has to do is become the hero or heroine we are within.

Jim Weiss reminds us in his 2015 article on the nature of a hero… “Rosa Parks is such a hero. She did not change the laws in the USA, but she began the process one day on a bus ride home. Confronted by the demand to give up her seat-something she knew was wrong — she firmly said, “No.” That one syllable, spoken quietly, was more powerful than the angry shouts of today’s talk show hosts, more long-lasting than damage done by bombs and bullets, more inspiring than demagogues’ easy answers. Rosa Parks was one of us.” She was a heroine!
What are the internal values or principles necessary for the making of a hero? Let’s look.

• A hero doesn’t finesse the truth for personal protection or political gain. He or she tells the truth exactly as it is.
• A hero is never silent in the face of abuse or prejudice to anyone. They do not stay silent in the face of oppression of any kind.
• A hero looks beyond what is, to what can be different.
• Heroes ask for help and find the strength to overcome challenges and difficult conditions without becoming a victim. They face the smallest and largest of fears with unbridled determination, even while they are afraid.
• Heroes and heroines make decisions, both small and large that cause us to stand in mute applause and awe, just like Rosa Parks. Those decisions are based solely on what is right and principled, rather than personally advantageous.
• Heroes use compassion and integrity as the motivation and base for having a positive effect on every personal, professional and political issues.

Heroes and heroines don’t necessarily have great degrees, certificates of accomplishments, hefty stock portfolios or grand achievements. They are everyday people just like you and me. In fact, if you stop a minute, you will be able to identify a regular everyday person in your life who was a hero to you, one who changed your life or ideas dramatically.

For instance, one of my heroines is my spinster (lovingly interpreted to be independent warrior) fourth grade, teacher Ms. Franklin, who wore long skirts and old fashion laced up heels, but who braved the dirt playground to come and ask me — after I had sort of given up — whether even though things were pretty bad at home, “Do you think it could be time to stop acting like you are not smart, because I know better?” Or, my 80 year old, spiritual sister who braved the California Topanga Canyon Mountain Trails with me to teach spiritual truths to people who sometimes came to the door nude. To my amazement she talked a growling, frothing at the mouth dog down one time by reaching in her pocket and offering him the nuts she used to keep her energy up after telling me, “We are all God’s creatures Dina, settle down.”

I am proof, that just one hero or heroine can change a life. This time is not about what other people are doing or not doing or what is God doing for us. It’s about who we are being or not being. Get your cape and the next time you have a chance, be the hero or heroine you already are. Who knows what great things might happen!

Dr. Evan specializes in relationships, personal and professional empowerment, compassion and consciousness. 602-997-1200, 602 571-8228, [email protected] and www.DrDinaEvan.com.