How do you define bravery? How do you define distress? What is a Hero? All of these questions really shape us into who we are. With these questions, we try to look at ourselves and how we judge good deeds. Everyone has a role model, a hero. Whether it be a parent, a sibling, or even a fictional character, heroes help us become better people. How is this shown through reality though?

Over time, society has portrayed heroes as strong figures putting their life in danger to save a family or even the world. In reality, that doesn’t have to be the case. Being brave means doing something right and maybe even inspiring. Being brave and being a hero is simply standing up to bullies at school, or even admitting that you cheated on test. You don’t need to be a police officer to be brave or to be considered a hero.

A hero in reality is someone you look up to. Have you ever had the thought: I want to be like my dad when I’m older? Well, that signifies how much you love and look up to that person. And “dad” can be anyone. In fact, it doesn’t have to be just one person. In reality, a hero is someone who makes your day. Someone who goes out of their way to see if you doing okay. The smallest acts of kindness fit my definition of a hero.

Movies where a princess is stuck in a tower that represent a damsel in distress perfectly portray how a hero is brave. But in reality, a human’s distress doesn’t typically involve being locked up in a tower. Distress can mean having a bunch of paperwork or editing to do, a long list of chores, taxes to pay off, or even having a good amount of homework due the next day. Some people are shy to ask to help when it comes to these everyday stressors when that’s not the case at all. You show bravery by accepting that you need help and asking for it eventually. That demonstrates you being your own hero.

Being a hero in reality is when you are able to recognize the good and the bad and doing what you genuinely think is right. It’s not being shy to ask for help. Being brave during a time of distress really helps build you up as a person and it help shape you as how you define a hero. Everyone wears a red cape, it doesn’t always have to be bright.