Herotown, USA
Everyone needs a hero.

Why you need a hero:
Heroes inspire you to be more, do more, be and do better. Seeing an example of what you really want to be helps you give yourself permission to emulate that and makes it easier. You'll be happier and in turn inspire others. 

How to find a hero:
Just look around.  Pick out qualities in others that you admire. It's okay to have partial heroes--people you respect for certain attributes even if you appreciate other attributes less. Finding a hero is as much your job (look, develop an awareness) as it is the hero's (develop strengths, talents, or whatever).

Classic Heroes:
When asked, Americans' most common heroes are mom and dad. With all the sacrifice, caring, and wisdom (though a teenager may not always agree), it's no wonder. Following are nine (I've lost some...so the list is currently incomplete) characteristics that define heroes.

• Action Oriented: Don't just talk, don't just dream. Be willing to take a risk, put in some effort, spend a piece of yourself for others and make a difference out there.
• Vision: See the possibilities for a better world, for a better tomorrow. Your passion and enthusiasm for any such ideas is contagious. Heroes effectively communicate their vision (and enthusiasm) for improvement. Afterall, it's a lot easier to change the world together than all alone.
• Special Skills: You don't have to fly. You don't need to shoot any bad guys in the nick of time. Maybe you just know how to talk and listen. Maybe you have a gift for creating art that inspires. Maybe you have a gymnastics floor routine or a voice that brings the crowd to their feet everytime. When you develop your talents--and when you really love those talents--it shows, it's nearly tangible, and nothing is more inspiring. Such expression makes everyone feel that perhaps they could create such beauty in their own way.
• Caring: What good do all your talents and attributes do the world if you keep it to yourself? Even if they don't always find time to show it, heroes do care. The world does matter. And when others sense this, trust increases. Some kind of bond, however thin, can exist. Even if a person has never met this hero--whether separated by time or distance or body guards--a private, special relationship can still exist.
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The Danger of the "Classic" Frontier Hero:
The "classic" western hero who rode into town to shoot up the bad guys and clean up the town usually had an "excuse." A difficult childhood, perhaps, where his parents were killed by theives or "savages."  This "special case" gave "civilization" a way to deal with violence and keep their hands clean. After the streets were clean and safe once again, the frontier hero rode off into the sunset. The Frontier Hero idea is dangerous. Those who blame their problems on others or external conditions cause a great deal of pain to society. The fact is that we are each responsible for our acts, no matter what difficulties our past held, that's just part of life. Furthermore, we need heroes that will stick around and continue to make efforts to raise our children well, to be a steady part of families and communities.

Be your own hero:
        how to give yourself credit, apply the nine characteristics. paste that list up on your wall.

Where have all the heroes gone?
mentoring        why we don't choose real heroes anymore. athletes as heroes: which really are? we're really individualistic. where's the frontier? quote about tough times making you discover what you're made of, and how you can choose that. 

Send your stories and thoughts to Heroville.
        we need your input. keep inspiring people. stories less than 250 words (1/2 typed page). first names only unless celebrity.

heores--two sided things, do they care (or would) about you? mother theresa, yes, Christ, yes, dennis rodman, probably not, clint eastwood, probably not. just go back to the nine elements.