There’s just something awesome about a valiant hero, right?!
Recently, my brother, husband, and I joined the #Witcher craze. (Have you seen the Netflix series yet?? Oh man, I love it… and I’m already re-watching it AND reading the books. SO GOOD.) That night as we discussed the show, my younger brother was going on and on about the Bard. How great he is, the songs, etc... (which he is, for sure. I’m obsessed with his “Toss a Coin to your Witcher” song. Listen here.) That said, I laughed, “Yeah, he’s great… but what about Geralt? He’s the EPIC hero. He’s awesome!”
My brother agreed that he’s cool too, but said his favorite is the Bard.
I blurted, “that’s crazy. You always go for the sidekicks in stories, like Samwise Gamgee. 
What about the main hero? Those are the characters I love and want to be like [for example, when we were kids I always wanted to be Leonardo from TMNT, Aragorn from LOTR, or be like Rand or an Aes Sedai from WOT.] Don’t you love the heroes?”
He snorted, grinning at me, and added, “Well that’s because you’ve always been in an authoritative role as the oldest and as a teacher. You’re always the leader of the group or in charge.”
I joked later with my husband that maybe my bro wasn’t really kidding… was that a little jab I sensed? Maybe I had been a bit too stubborn and bossy in our childhood games… (but seriously, if we were playing TMNT I was going to be Leonardo!) Maybe it was arrogance that drew me to the heroes, I questioned. (I am a firstborn and Leo after all!)
Before my husband could even reply though, a sweet little voice said, “No, Mom. It’s because you have courage. You like the heroes because they’re brave like you.” *goosebumps*
To have your kid see you as courageous… man, there’s nothing better. I was blown away by her interjection to our conversation, and the fact that she sees me that way. As a brave hero in her life.
It reminded me of why I do love a good hero in a story. Yes, some may be arrogant, showy, or self-serving, but many protagonists are selfless, driven, and they sacrifice for the greater good. That’s what I’m drawn to, and what I’d like to see more of in the news.
Even with Nav’Aria, I can relate to the Unicorns, King Vikaris, Queen Lyrianna, and even Antonis. There are elements of strength and ferocity woven through the pages, and though no one character is based off of me, I like to think that I relate to them, and would fight for the greater good if our world was submerged into darkness by Narco and his evil minions. (Read more of why I love a good Fantasy tale here.)
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A few years back I interviewed my husband Keil on his favorite fictional hero: Master Chief (from Halo books/videogames). I’ll share a portion of that blog interview below.
*Why is “Master Chief” your favorite hero? (*SPOILERS*):
John-117 is the ultimate video game protagonist. His back story is kind of somber as he was abducted when he was 6-years-old by the government to enter the Spartan II program (which meant he would live a life as a “Super Soldier”). Even when he learns the background of the program he doesn’t feel sorry for himself or his fellow squad mates, he simply states that he is glad to serve a greater purpose. When alien forces known as the “Covenant” show up and start destroying worlds, Master Chief knows that he and his Spartans are humanity’s best chance to fend off the merciless enemies. He has trained his whole life with the other Spartans and he would sacrifice himself if needed to save them or to complete his mission.
I remember getting goosebumps at the very last cut scene in the first “Halo” game as he and Cortana are flying off in a ship as the halo ring is exploding in the background, and Cortana says, “Halo- it’s finished” and Chief replies, “No. It is just getting started”. Only a true badass can go through what he did without taking a minute to fixate on what just happened, but instead is already looking ahead toward his next mission.
*What life lessons can be found in Halo?
Self-sacrifice, patience, teamwork, and determination are the biggest life lessons that come out of the “Halo” franchise. As I mentioned, John would do anything he could for his teammates who are like family to him. They’ve trained together since they were kids, been on countless missions together, and lost a handful of friends in combat. Master Chief helped save millions of people on various planets through his discipline and determination, but he doesn’t care or need the recognition; he’s just doing his duty…. But I’ll take the glory as I live the stories out when I play the games – who doesn’t love being the hero?!
And that’s exactly my point HERE today, WHO DOESN’T LOVE BEING THE HERO???????
We can all learn something from Master Chief’s selfless acts of service and duty. He is the hero every day in the “Halo” realm (well except that whole part where he goes rogue to save rampant Cortana… but just stay with me here), not because he HAS TO BE, not because he necessarily even WANTS TO BE, but because he NEEDS TO BE. If he doesn’t do it, who else will?
The same could go for your life presently. If you’re not going to step up and be the hero, who will? Is there someone in your life that you can help? Is there a cause worth researching and supporting? Do you need to quit waiting around for someone to save the day, and instead, do it yourself!? Like Master Chief, be the hero in your own life. Don’t wait helplessly, apathetically, or naively expecting for someone to save you… ACT! MOVE! BE! DO SOMETHING!
BE THE HERO BECAUSE YOU NEED TO BE.
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So, there you have it. Apparently I’ve always been a big fan of the heroic protagonists. Even when considering Halloween costumes and my husband joked that we should go as Witcher and Yennifer this year… I scoffed, “No way. I don’t want to be Yennifer, I want to be the Witcher.” *eye roll*
You know, that’s just me. I have a thing for heroes….
And even in the stories going back to my brother liking the “sidekicks”… I’ve come to find that even though, perhaps at first glance, one might not think of Samwise–Frodo’s companion–as the hero of LOTR since we hear about Frodo and the 
others so much. Yet when you see that scene in “Return of the King” when Sam, who has always been there for Frodo despite everything, freaking carries him up a mountain, now that’s heroism. Beast mode. Or what about in Game of Thrones? All along we’re drawn to the brave Jon Snow and the powerful Daenerys… but seriously, how awesome is Tyrion? (As you can guess, he’s my brother’s favorite.) He is brave throughout and stands up for himself and others time and time again.
And so I think it’s important to note, especially when thinking of our own courage and valor… Heroes come in ALL shapes and sizes, from all backgrounds, skill sets, and careers. They are as diverse as the people who fill this earth. At the end of the day, being a hero is more about one’s MENTAL versus PHYSICAL state. In the stories, some are destined, some are reluctant, some are successful, and some are perseverant. We can learn from them, and become the heroes of our own lives… even when it’s hard, and even when it’s scary.
Would you consider yourself a hero?
Would you use the word “courageous” to describe yourself?
If not, I have two thoughts on that:
1. The way to be courageous, is to start acting like it. Be the hero in your own life. Be brave.
2. You may not see it, but I bet someone else does. Your kids see you sacrifice or stand up for them… and they also see when you stand up for yourself or others. I bet if we asked people close to you they could list examples of brave things you’ve done.
-Lost the weight.
-Kicked the addiction.
-Graduated.
-Got a promotion.
-Stood up to peer pressure.
-Walked away from an abusive relationship.
-Took in foster kids knowing the eventual goodbye would break your heart.
You do brave things everyday. Remember that. And let people know when you see them being brave.
My brother and daughter see me as a courageous leader. And you know what, I believe they are two
of the strongest and bravest people I know. When I think of heroes, those two come to mind… they have each had their own bouts of adversity, and come out stronger on the other side. They inspire me daily (though I’ll never stop teasing my bro for his affinity for sidekicks and unlikely heroes! Seriously, Spiderman over Thor!?).
So, while it’s good to be the hero, it’s even better when you can have heroes in your life too. ❤️
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• Take 
Life- As an individual, an educator, and now as an adoptive mom, I have seen this very real longing to know one’s identity
way.
If you want some book recommendations, check out the fantasy section in my recent blog post “