We all need one! They come in different shapes, sizes, and colors, and can be real or imaginary. They’re called HEROES, and everybody wants to be somebody’s HERO. The ideal is parent-child, husband-wife, significant life partners, siblings, but if those options don’t exist, don’t give up too soon!

Your champion could come in the form of a co-worker, colleague or neighbor that needs a shoulder to cry on, a hug to know you care, or a sympathetic ear for when the world seems dark, grey, hopeless and overwhelming. We never truly know the impact we can have on the lives of others by just expressing a little care, understanding, compassion, sympathy, empathy or even silence. They say silence is a great indicator of truth, as it does indeed tell us many things and allows us to draw conclusions that may or may not suit our purpose.

In a world of too much stress, too little time, too few resources, and these days, too little hope, be the beacon that someone needs, their light at the end of the tunnel. While an act of kindness might take a few minutes, making that call, sending that e-mail or giving that hug could make a world of difference to a lost, troubled soul trying to right their path. And how wonderful to know your seemingly insignificant gesture can last a lifetime! Perhaps you can recall a story of your own, a time in your life when someone picked up your overwhelming professional or personal baggage and carried it a few blocks for you, or maybe you did the good deed for someone else.

If you don’t have a champion, if you long to be someone’s HERO, I’m asking you to dust off and wear that cape today. Someone is out there, needing, wanting, longing and hoping for you to brighten their day, to put a little hope and sunshine into their tomorrow. Go ahead, pick your favorite superhero and pretend for just one day you can leap the tallest building in a single bound, run faster than a locomotive, or jump higher than the greatest athlete! Someone is waiting for your autograph!

Bob Paff