There seems to be an apocalyptic event every few years, if you’re in to the whole comic book / superhero thing.  There is a giant “RESET” button when things start to get too complicated.  If you’ve watched the most recent addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, you know this all too well.  (Lot of tears shed by teenagers around here after that one)  I believe, at last count, Batman and Superman combined have died about a dozen times in the past few decades.

And even our recent explosion of multi-colored superheroes is not your thing, (I have heard there are actually people who do NOT like comic books or the associated cinematic ventures…)  Mythology, the predecessor of modern-day mutants and superhumans, was full of tragic heroes who faced, and often lost to, death.

Myths and comic books are the stories we tell ourselves about US.  We tell stories of superhuman strength, moral fortitude, and uncanny virtue so that we have something greater to aspire to.

But what happens when normal humans fail?  What happens when our real-life heroes die?

What happens when that famous couple you looked up to splits because one of them was having an extra-marital affair?

What happens when the athlete you idolized won’t come to work because he wants to earn $36 million, not “just” $35 million?

What happens when the politician you supported because you thought they would help the people goes back on their word and only helps themselves?

What happens when that person you thought you knew well was doing things you never thought they were capable of?

What happens when our heroes turn out to be human?  What happens when the heroes turn to dust?

Human beings are fallible.  We fall.  We fail.  We choose poorly.  We make mistakes – sometimes on purpose, sometimes by accident.  We are frail.  We are corruptible and sometimes morally ambiguous.  We struggle.  We suffer.

Fortunately, we are also correctable.  We learn.  We grow.  We can rise above.  We can transcend.

When heroes die, when they fail, it is time to become our own hero.  It is time to use what you have learned from that hero to rise above, to transcend, to become better than you are.

After all, isn’t that what heroes are for?

How will you be your own hero today?  What can you do to be someone else’s hero this week?

Like what you’re reading?  Is it helpful?  Click over to my patreon page to become a patron – there you can ask questions and discuss topics to be covered in future writing.  Also, if you like these discussions keep checking back for news on The Meaning Project – the website is being set up as we speak, and I’ll be recording content soon.  As always, thank you for your support – I truly hope you find it meaningful.  – Dan