Find a Hero

[On Not Killing Creativity - VIII]Several thoughts converge to starve the idea of a hero.

1. 1. The category of hero creates an unneeded hierarchy and should be seriously questioned.
   2. Heroes have flaws and are consequently less heroic (and must be cut down to size).
   3. Truly, we are all heroes by virtue of showing up and breathing.

The conclusion: be your own hero—others don't cut it.But a consequence is that creativity suffers.Here’s the correlation between creativity and heroism: heroes, historically speaking, are not only courageous and noble, they are innovators. The word, at least in part, comes from the Greek mathematician named Hero. He was known for inventions.We’re not all heroes. At least not yet.But we all need one. We need creative heroes. Not that we should plagiarize their work, or mimic their behavior, but that we might model our creative purposes after theirs.Who inspires you?Who ignites your imagination?Who paved a path that fits your feet (and your dreams) uncannily well?Who speaks, paints, writes, creates, develops in a way that enlivens your soul?That’s your hero. Follow them.