Celebrate the Hero Within

“Heroism may be the only way to love. Heroism can’t be preached; it has only to show itself, and its mere presence may stir others to action.” Henri Bergson

Being a hero means having the courage to be true to myself and to move in the direction of my dreams. I have a confession to make; I have been a reluctant hero. I have received so many emails and Tweets saying, “You are my hero.” Huh – wait a minute. Who me? I’m somebody’s hero? Our friends who were at the post race party overlooking Boylston Street said that as Team McManus approached the finish line of the Boston Marathon, they were cheering as though they were watching Lance Armstrong win the Tour de France. People have been in tears because of my act of courage and heroism – to overcome post polio syndrome and take on the challenge of the Boston Marathon – and to succeed!

Why was I a reluctant hero? I was listening to the voices and behavior of those around me from the past. The ones who begrudgingly chose me last for their team in gym class and a family who rejected and abused me. Being in the spotlight had always been an invitation to ridicule and abuse. But that came from people who were blind to see the heroes in themselves. How could I possibly expect them to see the hero inside of me? The hero who went to school every day with a leg brace; who excelled academically despite a chaotic home life and the challenge of polio; the hero who went on to serve those who served and despite debilitating illness, put the needs of my patients first and the hero who dared to conquer post polio syndrome to run in the 113th Boston Marathon to raise over $10,000 for Spaulding Rehab.

After the Marathon run was over, a part of me wanted to retreat into my old ‘safe’ world; yet ironically the ‘safe’ world is fraught with fear and doubt and a world in which I remain a victim. When I crossed the finish line, it became a starting line for me to share my journey and to share my gifts with the world. Every time I share my journey and realize what strength, beauty and courage I possess to have overcome the challenges in my life, the scales of fear fall away and I realize it is time to step into my role as hero. Me, a hero? You bet I am and so are you!

Celebrate the Hero
Celebrate the hero who conquers doubts and fears
Who dares to walk along her path ignoring sneers and jeers.

Celebrate the hero – broken yet still whole
Who sets her heart upon a dream and drives to reach that goal.

Celebrate the hero – ignore what others say
Impossible is nothing – with Love she finds the way.

Celebrate the hero – passion deep inside
Vulnerable and humble, heart now open wide.

Celebrate the hero – tune out untruth and lie
The moments now unfolding – it’s time for her to fly.

Mary McManus
www.newworldgreetings.com
www.firstgiving.com/teammcmanus