get up and do it again {sunday scribblings}
I am someone who is easily captivated by stories of fantasy and fiction. I love stories where someone comes and saves the day. I am on the edge of my seat during Superman and Lord of the Rings and the X-Men movies. I chew off fingernails as I read the adventures of Harry Potter, the Pevensie children, and a feisty fairy named Magpie. These stories are filled with heroes who save the day. Literally. And I eat up every minute of them.
Some of my friends know I am fond of saying that I think almost every story (okay, at least the ones I enjoy) has a bit of A Christmas Carol in it. Someone who doesn’t get it at all faces something, and as the person faces that “something,” the person suddenly gets it. Every year (not necessarily in December), I cuddle up on the couch and watch The Muppets’ Christmas Carol to be reminded of this very idea: A person who seems as though he may never “get it,” he has a story, and we can hope that some day he will be face to face with something that invites him to crack open and get it. (Oh and I also love, love, love the music in this version of this story. If anyone has the soundtrack, I would love to know where to get it.)
It is this realization, this understanding that is the awakening of the hero. I love how this happens in fantastical stories and in stories about every day people. Almost every good story has a character who fits the Ebenezer Scrooge definition. And this is the part where I admit that I believe we have a little of Scrooge in all of us. The ego that must take a breath and realize everything isn’t all about us. That even though our story has brought us to where we are, we make a choice to write the next page.
There is a story by Brian Andreas that hangs in our bedroom above our dresser. It is a framed print called “Real Hero.” It is about the idea that real heroes are people who get up every day and live their lives. I bought this for Jon to let him know that I honor his feelings that life can be hard, hard, hard. That sometimes it can be so challenging that everything seems like it can go wrong. But that the hero inside each of us is what gets us up every morning to face it again anyway.
On Monday, when Jon and I left a doctor’s office, I was feeling pretty overwhelmed and scared. As we waited for the elevator, a woman in a wheelchair was ahead of us. I was so in my head, in my fears, that I could feel myself trying not to notice that she did not have any legs. Her hands were enclosed in leather, fingerless gloves, and she operated her wheelchair on her own.
I believe that the situations we are in are relative to what we know and who we are. So of course, it is easy to think, “well, at least I am not her.” The “at leasts” that fill up space. Although they may have merit, we run the risk of walking a line of pity, which is, for me, a waste of time. Pity. Not a word that resonates. But understanding. Yes. This is what I seek. And, of course, to be understood.
In the five days since the not-so-great doctor’s appointment, I have thought about this woman. No matter her story, she is someone who gets up every day and does it again. And again. And again.
A hero.
I can hope that no matter what life hands me now and in the future, I will try to follow this same path. Get up. Do it again. Go to bed to rest a while. Repeat. And in the midst of this living, I hope when I am face to face with whatever stands in my path that I will be willing to crack open. To let go of the ego that it is all about me and learn. To make a choice to write the next page of my story. And then, yes, repeat.
(to read the writing of others who responded to this prompt, visit sunday scribblings)
liz lamoreux
Reader Comments (18)
Thank you for sharing this story...it's inspirational and beautiful. Hope all is well!
I hope these same things for you too...there are so many people that you have touched with your generous soul and so many feelings that you have encouraged us to think about. Life is all about accepting ourselves and I believe that a part of that is also accepting the things life throws at us like illness or loss...it sounds horrible but I am sure that there is some good in every bad thing that happens to us if and when we are able to recognise it.
Great post Liz. Like you, I don't ever want to pity myself and have found myself in situations where I would think 'at least' myself. Not good. In the face of adversity, it's hard not to want to lay down and cry but doing what you've suggested ~ get up and do it again, gives one a purpose beyond what is troubling them and I've found for myself, that sometimes the act of getting up and doing it all again, does help.
From what you've revealed of yourself here in the past year, I have no doubt that's exactly what you'll do. Sending good thoughts your way~~~~
Hi, Liz. I went through all this thirty years ago, and three weeks ago. It sucks, I know it does. It feels like you've swallowed an ice cube whole. But hang tight. I'm thinking about you, and you're in my prayers.
I believe we're surrounded by heroes every day and what they have to teach us shimmers.
You're in my thoughts all the time sweetie.
Heroes do indeed come in every day packages. Along with your thoughts about A Christmas Carol, I would add "Wizard of Oz". We're all seeking our way, our path. You will be able to let go of ego. You're already doing it. :)
Peace,
~Chani
Liz! AMAZING post. All of it is just so smart, and so right and well said!
"...that life can be hard, hard, hard. That sometimes it can be so challenging that everything seems like it can go wrong. But that the hero inside each of us is what gets us up every morning to face it again anyway."
--Gosh, this is truth. This makes a hero, in my book, too.
Great job.
I send you light and healing.
:)
i love this definition of hero. it gives us each power and permission.
Dear Liz, very wise and profound post. Thank you for sharing your idea of a true hero. So true! I hope we all find the strength to face whatever is ahead of us. Sendng lots of prayers and positive healing thoughts your way, dear heart. xo
once again, liz, you've read certain thoughts in my mind (there's a line or two in this post that ARE EXACTLY the same words i thought to myself a few days ago) and you also gave me new perspectives on things.
thank you, you wise you.
This was a really good post, Liz. I especially like what you had to say about Jon.
Hope things are going better after your Monday appointment...been thinking about you lots this week.
Star
i also like this definition of hero.
and it is so cute that you watch the muppets each year. i haven't seen them in so long. i know it would make me so happy to do so.
i'm sorry about your appointment, Lizzie. i hope your heart is feeling more peace...
xo
Wonderful interpretation of the hero that we all have the potential to be ... many good thoughts and prayers for healing. much peace, JP
Liz...beauty interpretation of what a hero is, and precisely the boost that I needed this morning. We all have a bit of hero in us...indeed we do.
Sending good thoughts your way...hope that you are feeling well today.
xoxo
your bravery and embracing of life is true heroism. we are turning the pages with you with hope and love...xo
Get up and repeat and give and hope--it's all we can do, isn't it? And you do it amazingly well. xo
I always thought that thinking of movie actors and sports figures as heroes was ridiculous. Your way of seeing makes much more sense.