Heroes of my life

Some time ago, I started noticing that in the various platforms I operate, in terms of social network, I started to see heroes…

I am not saying Hollywood or Bollywood heroes; true heroes, people who are doing unthinkable things to make others’ lives better. Have you seen anyone like that lately? Maybe your mother or an old uncle? Perhaps your neighbor or your kid’s teacher? They are everywhere!

And as I love the topic of heroes, I would like to talk about 3 things in relation to heroes and the first thing is: why do they become our heroes?

Many would say they are helping others in an extraordinary way, but the reality is others are also doing it and yet, they are not heroes, at least not for everyone.

The reason is simple: they become our heroes because we have that potential and see it expressed in them. That is, WE could be the ones doing that same thing this person is doing… In this context, the heroes that are emerging are helping us to understand more about the self.

The second thing is: what is their superpower?

The other day, I had a lecture on love and when I did a research, I found out those heroes that make me smile all the time they have very different skills, and they come in all sizes, shapes, color of the skin and religion, but one thing is common: a very deep love.

Maybe past heroes were not like that, but present heroes are expressing their love in ways that go beyond their duty and that also inspires us to express our love in different ways.

The last thing is: what is the real benefit of being a hero?

If you used to be a fan of heroes, maybe a comics collector, you have probably noticed a trend as modern heroes are depicted vulnerable, maybe even weak. A movie, considered by many the best movie based on a comic hero, shows exactly that: how a very macho hero succumbs to love and tenderness at the end…

So, if heroes are also vulnerable, what is the benefit? In fact, no matter what, (present) heroes are learning in two dimensions. On one hand, they WIN, that means, somehow they defeat evil, but on the other hand, they CHANGE deeply.

That’s why heroes are relevant to us, because they show no matter how rigid you are, how fixed is your role, you can change.

Now, stop reading this and be the hero you are!

Your past is a source of inspiration and values, but does not define your present actions - Reason 54

Past is merged in the present of all of us; for instance, look at the body and a person can even remember the type of food he used to eat that helped to shape it.

Past defines people, or to put it more accurately, many people allow their past to define their present state of existence. 

But, for a leader, past does not limit who she or he is, because leaders can change those traces that are not relevant to the moment.  After all, manage change and being an agent of change is part of being a leader.

Because of that, past becomes a point of reference from where a leader can take inspirations for improvement.  The past serves to show the leader lessons to be learnt, values to be kept and motivates him or her to make it better next time.

When past ceases to be a place for nostalgia, it turns into a source of teachings for life.

(Excerpt from the book 82 Reasons to be a Leader)

 

Leaders are stars that remind many others of their own brilliance – Reason 51

A beautiful thing about being a leader is that you never shine alone…  Everywhere a leader goes, he or she enables the best to emerge in other people.  In other words, a real leader makes others shine, sometimes even brighter than her or him.

Whether it is in the office or along with relatives, in the company of friends or not so friendly people, in all circumstances, leaders inspire and help others to feel I can do better, no matter what it is.

It is not natural: a leader herself or himself has been inspired at some point and she or he has learned how to inspire others in a subtle way, as there are no courses that can teach it to anyone.

It is not obvious either, as a leader does not carry a visiting card announcing I am a leader and I am here to inspire you.  Most of the time, inspiration takes place just by being present, like the light of a star…

It requires work internally and externally: by refining thoughts and emotions, by understanding intentions and by creating bridges towards other people.

(Excerpt from the book 82 Reasons to be a Leader)

Everyone is a friend… - Reason 36

The words ‘I have a friend’ are seldom used by people nowadays.

Oh, yes, you may have 5,000 friends… in a social network platform.  But among them, how many would extend their hand to you at a time of need or will share a dream with you, so you can build something together?  And by saying build something we are not saying to create another social network group.

A leader will be everyone’s friend and will have everyone as a friend because what he or she has with other people is a deep connection.

It means whenever there is a need or a dream to share, the leader will gather many people around her or him.  The purpose of this is not to win people over, but because the leader cares about others and whatever he or she inspires them to commit to do, it is for a greater benefit.

And whenever there is a need, the leader will be there.  Maybe she or he will not give exactly what the other person is looking for, but there will always be a smile, understanding eyes or a word of encouragement.

(Excerpt from the book 82 Reasons to be a Leader)

How to inspire other people?

Working in a team or just living in a family can be a challenge bigger than its purpose or mission, due to the way relationships go.

When there is a conflict, corrections and lessons have become short in our present time and inspiration is probably the best, if not the only, solution. The question is: how to inspire people?

Trying to inspire others by telling your own story… sometimes that will work, but not always as people have more criteria today and don’t accept things told to them as easy as before.

Being an example? That does work, but it takes its time and in some environments, like the corporate world, that won’t probably be effective.

What to do then?

The best way to inspire others is to inspire the self. Endlessly and tirelessly inspire this person you are and naturally others will feel inspired by what you are, not by what you say or what you show.

The reason is that your energy will be of first quality, your intentions will be clear and your actions will express the best of you.

How inspired do you feel today?

That inner voice

Ethics is taught at schools, churches and temples all over the world. However, within us there is something there that helps us to watch our own behavior and follow those ethics.

It is kind of an inner voice that tells you "Don't do it!" Probably it was that inner voice that warned corrupt politicians to not accept a bribe or a mother to not lie to her children.

But because it is a very soft voice, we normally don't pay much attention to it and when we do listen to it, we don't care. And when we do care, we still have problems to follow what that voice is saying. Years later, when you revise your life, that voice often comes back to you but when there is no time and no energy to put its instructions into practice.

Because even though many people affirm humans are the only animals born without a sense of direction, which is completely false. We do have a sense of direction, a natural sense of what is right and what is wrong and in the crossroads we meet in our lives, that inner voice comes and tells you the truth...

More than a morality that judges other people, that inner voice's duty is to show you the right path. So, my suggestion is that when that voice talks to you, note down what it says. Even though you can't use it right now, it can be useful later. Sometimes, it comes through others' arts; embrace it, because that is part of the compass you will use in your journey, your long journey.

Nehru, the first prime-minister of India and Gandhi's companion in their struggle for liberty used the last stanza of a poem that reminded him even though sometimes he was tired, there were still a few miles more to go...

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village, though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound's the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep. 

Robert Frost