The Art of Manliness has another great post that dads and all men, Catholic or othewise should read. I think it is a great start on what it means to be a hero. Check out the full article at: Heroic Imagination: How to be a Hero. Here is a redacted version of their list for quick reference.
1. Maintain constant vigilance for situations that require heroic action. … The more you develop your ability to spot situations to be heroic, the more chances you’ll get to take heroic action.2. Learn not to fear conflict because you took a stand. … Don’t be afraid to stand by your principles and live with integrity.
3. Imagine alternative future scenarios beyond the present moment. … Will you be able to look yourself in the mirror 20 years down the road knowing you didn’t do the right thing because it would have caused a couple of months of financial hardship?…Study the lives of great men who performed heroic deeds. Studying their noble deeds will instill in us the virtues and values required for a heroic imagination and inspire us to take heroic action when needed.
4. Resist the urge to rationalize and justify inaction. … Instead of thinking, “I won’t do anything because someone else will take care of it,” start thinking “I must take action because no one else will.”
5. Trust that people will appreciate heroic (and frequently unpopular) actions. … While your action may be unpopular at first, people eventually come around and appreciate and recognize true heroes.
This is an outstanding list that we need to heed. I liked the part about hero’s of the past. We Catholics call the best heroes “saints”. We should definitely study what they did and say as often as we can. I think that one should have been broken out as its own – but a list of 6 seems odd.
I have two more to add that will take the list to 8. I would add to these daily prayer and self-discipline through sacrifice.
Anyone have a couple more to take the list to 10 or beyond?
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I would add "Watch for other people doing heroic things." You can see these people in your daily life and in the news and their actions can act as inspiration or suggestion. Have a look at cnn.com/heroes or my site, theheroconstructioncompany.com for examples.