The Hero

The main theme of my literature class this year is, "What happens if in the end, the hero doesn't win?" 

Glad to say the students are catching on to it. They're in the midst of writing their own myths at the moment, and a couple of them are excited to write about their hero not winning. This was a unit I've wanted to teach since I wrote it during my credential classes at LBSU. I remember my professor for this unit stated that she hoped I'd teach it someday. The funny thing is that I wrote it for a sixth grade class, and that's the class that's doing it, kind of like a prophecy.

The works they've read and are currently reading are Ozma of Oz, The Chronicles of Narnia (esp. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and Prince Caspian), Of Mice and Men, The Tale of Isis and Osiris, "Orpheus," "Arachne," and other Greek myths. If you've ever read any of these, you will understand about the hero not winning (esp. in the traditional sense).  I remember my principal was happy I'd be teaching that theme.

All of this has had me thinking about the heroes in my life, both through my own personal connection with them such as family and friends, and my admiration through published works.

In my personal lives there are just too many to name.  I'm a believer that who we are is only really 10% us and 90% of everything you have learned from those around you.  And when you think about it, 10% of you may not seem like a whole lot, but you may be 10% to many many others out there, and that is incalculable.

I think in those whose lives I've read about I have greatly admired some people in history (and some who will go down in history). As a matter of fact, I added them (but not all) in a book of sorts that I wrote for a heroes class I taught during an English summer camp in Korea.

Here are some of my heroes to name a few: Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., Oprah Winfrey, Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Toni Morrison, J.K. Rowling, Alanis Morissette, Shakira, Fey, C.S. Lewis, Dalai Lama, and Barack Obama. Don't know why? Read up on their lives, how they achieved and struggled in their careers, and what they do to give back.  They didn't really win in the traditional sense, that's why! And that's life.

Speaking of giving back, I am participating for the second year in a row in the Walk Now for Autism Speaks event in April.  If you're interested in sponsoring me, please follow this link, I'd be extremely grateful for your donation (tax-deductable donation that is): http://www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1037427&lis=1&kntae1037427=EF0E826050E5483CAE87D556ABA02DDA&supId=376796293

Also, one of my favorite Latin singers (who is on the list) is on tour.  Waiting for Fey's US dates though.  Here's a taste of it, watch the whole thing, she is amazing in what she does: