A Lesson for Life and a Proposal for the New Year

Athletes and movie stars are often raised up as heroes only to disappoint in the end.
Excellence in athletics on and off the field and a penchant for acting are supposed life lessons for the less noble, us and our children.
Politicians fall into this same category but I really don’t know of a politician that is praised as a “hero” on a daily basis.
A lot of them are being investigated as they investigate the athletes and the movie stars to avoid investigating the things that really matter.
Recent vivid evidence of life lessons include high profile infidelity, animal cruelty, drug usage, doping along with a cornucopia of other indiscretions including fraud, bribery and a vast range of mischievous behavior.
Another recent example of how not to live life was afforded by the management of the Indianapolis Colts.
The decision to bench the first string athletes to pursue a game losing strategy eliminated the possibility of a “perfect” season.
Ending a record 24 game winning streak in this fashion needs to be viewed with a jaundiced eye.
It may not have been a “big deal” for the coach and the owner but it seemed like a “Big Deal” for the fans who expected more from their “heroes”.
This was a decision that didn’t just impact records and statistics but had a very negative impact on the fan base who as I understand, pay to watch their team make an effort to win.
So what should a concerned individual do?
Turn off the Television.
Make yourself your own “hero”.
Become a “hero” for your children, your spouse, your best friend, the people you work with, the people you live next to and others you might encounter.
Get off of the couch and rejoin life in the active lane.
The fact that Tiger can hit a golf ball doesn’t really make you a better golfer.
The fact that the Colts can win or lose a game doesn’t do anything for your health status or your ability to throw a pass.
You can on the other hand decide to change your eating habits and eat healthy.
You can decide to lose extra weight and become more agile.
You can decide to give up smoking.
You can decide to get a trainer, head to the gym reshaping your mind, your attitude and ultimately yourself.
In the final analysis you want to avoid the need for health care, reformed or unreformed and play touch football till your eighty.
It is not up to the politicians, sports figures, “movie stars” or any other person on this planet to set your life path.
It is up to you.
The power ultimately resides in each individual.
Maybe it is time to decide that it is going to be each and every one of us that is striving to be a hero.
It is just too important to leave it up to someone else.