Hello all. Today I am submitting this, my first post on DailyWisdomWords.com. I am excited to have the opportunity to reach out to others. For this first entry, I will discuss ‘being the hero of your own life story’. Joseph Campbell is credited with the quote: “You are the hero of your own story.” Simply put, this means that you and you alone define your life. Through faith in yourself, you decide who and what you will be. Therefore, it stands to reason that we have the power to be a hero if we choose. With each challenge, and mistake, we can rise to the occasion and conquer the shadows. Those who see only our mistakes may view us as failures, but this far from the truth. Mistakes are part of everyone’s life, and how we face adversity is what truly helps to define us. Thus, by believing in ourselves and accepting both the good and bad, we can choose to embrace the pain and reinvent ourselves. Consequently, we can grow and learn as a result of the trials we face, and subsequently become better human beings. By being the hero of your own life story, you validate your experiences and you help to define your existence. Furthermore, by working towards self understanding, we open a door to our true selves: the hero within. This is more than mere survival; this is a path towards thriving in your life. A Positive Choice Remember that one of your choices is to maintain a positive countenance in the face of heartbreaks. Our tolerance for life’s ambiguity is key to our growth, both intellectually and emotionally. By practicing positivity, you can look at your life with all its ups and downs without judging yourself too harshly. Additionally, being the hero allows for your internal structures/schemes to be altered. Very much the way steel is tempered by fire, your seeming losses can be construed as learning opportunities…a means to your personal growth. “Experience: that most brutal teacher. But you learn, my God do you learn.” -William Nicholson, 1948 Beyond the personal empowerment that can be gained by reframing your own definition of success, your life can be a shining example to others as they traverse life’s labyrinth. As a result, your life also allows you to be the hero of someone else’s story, given that you are born with a wellspring of strength and love. Every act of kindness, whether that be a smile or a hand held tightly, can serve to uplift others. Life is love: sharing love, being love…this is your heroic path. The gift of life is immeasurable and unlike any other gift you could receive. By being a hero, you show others that they too can be heroes in their own lives and perhaps in the life of others. “What I like about experience is that it is such an honest thing… You may have deceived yourself, but experience is not trying to deceive you. The universe rings true wherever you fairly test it.” -C.S. Lewis Next week, Sunday at 3:00, I will discuss ways in which we can become the hero in our lives, as well as in the lives of others. Please feel free to offer your feedback, e.g., was this of value to you? Until then, dear Reader, I remain your friend. THIS ARTICLE ENTITLED, “BE THE HERO” , IS BY DR.SHANNI DOVERTHIS ARTICLE ENTITLED, “BE THE HERO”, IS BY DR.SHANNI DOVER