The ancient Greeks devised an easy two-step test for telling apart heroism and impulse:
Would you do it again?
And could you?
When the Greeks created the heroic ideal, they didn’t choose a word that meant “Dies Trying” or “Massacrs Bad Guys.” They went with “heroes” meaning “protector.” …Empathy, the Greeks believed, was a source of strength, not softness; the more you recognized yourself in others and connected with their distress, the more endurance, wisdom, cunning, and determination you could tap into….He or she has to care so much for what’s human, it brings out what’s godly. Aristotle points out in Politics the foundation of both Greek theology and Western democracy: the notion that ordinary citizens should always be ready for extraordinary action.
Because the way the Greeks looked at it, you have a choice: you can either hope a hero magically comes to the rescue when your kids are in danger, or you can guarantee it!
Daredevils aren’t the answer; Fearlessness doesn’t really help, either; when your car breaks down, you don’t want a mechanic to say “I’ve never done this before, but I’m willing to give it a try.” What you want to hear is “Don’t worry. This is right up my alley.” Heroism isn’t some mysterious inner virtue, the Greeks believed; it’s a collection of skills that every man and woman can master so that in a pinch, they can become a Protector.
I couldn’t agree more with those ancient Greeks! This is also what training at FightClub all about… Come try some classes and see for yourself. What are you waiting for?
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