Like many of you I grew up with parents who used way too much rod & hardly any carrot. I was rarely taught right from wrong only what got on their nerves. I learned very little from their example. It was in my formative years that I discovered Comics/Graphic Novels. I credit almost my entire moral compass from what I learned in those pages. While I mostly grew out of the books I never shied away from looking for examples to look up to. I have always tried to keep in my heart a list of real people to inspire to. The thing I learned from comics is that almost any real person, no matter how amazing, has a little mud on their shoes. Every single person on my list is a flawed human being but that is what makes us human. They are not there because of their flaws or even necessarily their achievements but at some point they rose above themselves & shown their bright light for a greater good.
The following is just a portion of my ever-expanding list with a little something about why I look up to them.
Issac Newton - Founded Physics as a science (Just like most of you, I celebrate his birthday every Dec 25th)
Albert Einstein - Taught me curiosity is important as intellect
Nikola Tesla - Came to America with two pennies & invented the 20th century, a pure immigrant story
FDR - Overcame tremendous odds & genuinely wanted to help people.
Winston Churchill - Knew how powerful language could be if used properly
Hedy Lamarr - She was never satisfied with making it on looks & strived her whole life to be taken seriously for her gifted intellect.
MLK - Used nonviolence in the face of hatred.
Malcom X - “By Amy Means Necessary!”
Gen. George Patton - didn’t want the intoxicated boys that caused the accident that killed him to get in any trouble for a stupid mistake. Also, another gifted orator.
Carl Sagan - Wanted to make science accessible & exciting to everyone.
Bill Hicks - Taught how me to laugh even when I’m pissed.
**Bruce Wayne - Taught me that sometimes you have to sacrifice yourself for the greater good
That’s certainly not all but it’s a decent sampling. Some of my choices may seem odd but everyone is different & I can find good the majority of people. So tell me, who are your heros?